Reviews & Analysis

Large cargos stop protein filaments from rotating as they glide along a surface coated with motor proteins, but small cargos do not.

Thin films of redox-active molecules can be used to construct logic gates, which can then be linked together to create basic circuits.

A dislocation running through the trunk of a nanowire offers a new twist to the growth of chiral branched nanostructures, producing beautiful tree-like structures in the process.

Conventional atomic force microscopy probes only the surface of specimens. A related technique called scanning near-field ultrasonic holography can now image nanoparticles buried below the surfaces of cells, which could prove useful in nanotoxicology.

A superconducting detector can count photons and measure their energy with an accuracy that could be good enough for space-based far-infrared telescopes.

The unique electronic band structure of graphene has led to a number of exotic effects that have fascinated fundamental researchers and may also lead to improvements in the performance of electronic devices.

Cotton is an important raw material for producing soft textiles and clothing. Recent discoveries in functionalizing cotton fibres with nanotubes may offer a new line of tough, wearable, smart and interactive garments.

Direct injection of long multiwalled carbon nanotubes into the abdominal cavity of mice produces asbestos-like pathogenic behaviour. What does this finding mean for nanotube safety?

A stencilling technique for depositing arrays of nanoscale ferroelectric capacitors on a surface could be useful in data storage devices.

It will take a concerted effort for nanomachines to express themselves on a macroscopic scale. Could self-organizing helical polymers help?

The performance of metal electrodes used for studying brain function and relieving the symptoms of medical conditions can be significantly improved by coating them with carbon nanotubes.

Electron interferometry can be used to measure strain with nanoscale resolution in electronic devices by exploiting a simple idea found in physics textbooks.

Hybrid devices that rely on the movement of both electrons and ions might one day challenge conventional silicon electronics by exploiting both classical and quantum electron transport.

Rising production and use of engineered nanomaterials increases the likelihood of environmental exposure. A preliminary modelling study shows that quantitative risk assessment is possible but a large knowledge gap still exists.

The patterning of self-assembled monolayers can be controlled on subnanometre length scales by careful design of the molecular components.

Membranes made of manganese oxide nanowires can be used to selectively absorb oil from water through a combination of superhydrophobicity and capillary action.

In the past, nanoelectromechanical resonators have been passive devices that required external oscillators to keep them working, so the development of a self-sustaining resonator powered only by a d.c. voltage is a major advance.

Green plants have an in-built protection system that prevents their photosynthetic machinery from being damaged by excessive levels of light. Researchers have now demonstrated a similar mechanism in an artificial molecular system.