Reviews & Analysis

Interactions between biomolecules can be probed with the help of technology that was developed for reading data stored on magnetic disk drives.

A nanostructured electrode can allow a lithium-ion battery to charge to 90% of maximum capacity in two minutes.

This article reviews the use of DNA motifs to build plasmonic molecules, polymers and crystals from individual plasmonic nanostructures.

A nanoribbon of a material with topological surface states has been used as the channel in a field-effect transistor.

What happens when the size of a metallic particle becomes smaller than the characteristic length scale for electron diffusion in that material?

Electrons have been channelled through graphene wires using the principles of optical guiding by fibre optic cables.

A versatile method for the production of sheets of inorganic compounds with atomic thickness has been demonstrated.

A thin layer of double-stranded DNA on a gold surface can act as a spin filter.

Coating solid-state nanopores with fluid lipid bilayers can reduce the translocation speeds of molecules and prevent the nanopores from clogging.

Nanomechanical devices have the potential to probe biological processes at the level of single cells and individual molecules. This article reviews the issues that will be critical to the success of next-generation mechanical biosensors.

Statistical analysis of nanoparticle delivery shows that cells take up nanoparticles randomly and redistribute them to their daughter cells in a biased way.

A statistical model based on a quantitative structure–activity relationship accurately predicts the cytotoxicity of various metal oxide nanoparticles, thus offering a way to rapidly screen nanomaterials and prioritize testing.

The presence of a large bandgap means that a single layer of molybdenum disulphide can be used to make field-effect transistors with high on/off ratios and reasonably high mobilities.

Recyclable membranes that are capable of separating nanoparticles of different sizes can be prepared from supramolecular assemblies that are held together by non-covalent bonds.

Changing the configuration of block copolymer coatings with the aim of circumventing the body's defence system instead triggers the immune system differently.

The formation of an atomic-scale metal filament at the end of an atomic force microscope will pave the way for higher-resolution imaging by AFMs with functionalized tips.

Mechanical vibrations in piezoelectric structures induced by green laser light can efficiently produce electromagnetic radiation at terahertz frequencies.

Metal nanoparticles can be formed inside protein crystals, creating composite materials with potentially bifunctional catalytic properties.

Pre-treating rats with single-walled carbon nanotubes can protect neurons in the brain and enhance the recovery of motor functions after injury.