Research Highlights in 2008

The spin Seebeck effect can be used to generate spin current over relatively long distances by simply applying a temperature gradient.

Scientists overcome hurdles of monodispersity and aggregation to create multifunctional nanoparticles which demonstrate simultaneous biomedical imaging and therapeutic potential

An ion responsive micelle system using ionic liquids is proposed for the rapid and controlled release and emulsification.

Molecular flasks allow solution-like reactions to be followed with crystallography.

A new electron transport material enables the production of highly efficient organic blue light emitting diodes.

Scientists develop a range of full-color tunable fluorescent molecules in one-pot reactions with a single core skeleton structure.

Numerical simulations explain unusual electronic properties of disordered graphene in magnetic fields.

Polymer solar cells consisting of two types of complimentary molecular units are able to collect light from the whole visible spectrum, thereby significantly increasing conversion efficiency.

Hollow gold tubes with stable structures could find use in catalysis or spin-based computing.

Titanium-based materials could provide effective orthopedic implants by mimicking the fine structure of bones.

Controlling the molecular architecture of synthetic hydrogels yields materials with impressive mechanical properties.

Double helices of synthetic polymers that can self sort based on both length and the sequence of binding units provide a step forward in the quest for a molecular computing.

The orientation of the magnetization in a magnetic semiconductor film can be manipulated by an applied electric field.

Electron microscope records images of molecules escaping through tiny pores in carbon nanotubes.

A photodetector based on self-assembled organic one-dimensional nanostructures shows exceptionally high efficiency.

Control of solid-state polymer chirality with solvent or heat.

Six porphyrins and twelve metal complexes combine to form a hexagonal molecuar box with a large internal void.

Magnetic components bring new opportunities for tunable metamaterials.

Newly discovered Liquid-to-liquid transition could find practical applications.

Nanostructured liquid crystals made from molecules that contain both an ionic group and a pi-conjugated system can be used to make electrochromic devices without the need for additional electrolytes.