Perspectives in 2021

This Perspective relates seemingly diverse examples of chemically driven non-equilibrium systems (dissipative assembly, self-replicators, molecular motors, oscillators) using a common conceptual framework, and discusses how catalytic cycles can be coupled to dynamic processes.

This perspective presents a framework with a tiered approach for human health risk assessment of nanopesticides that will facilitate informed decisions by regulators and industry.

This Perspective aims to place nanoplastics in the context of global plastic pollution by assessing its sources and risks, and by assessing commonalities nanoplastics may share with other nanosized objects in environmental systems.

This Perspective examines how the characteristics of nanoplastic impact environmental fate, potential effects on biota and human health, sampling and analysis in a different way from either microplastic or engineered nanomaterials.

Despite its high promise, there are still many challenges for CRISPR-mediated plant genetic engineering, yet nanotechnology can play an important role in lowering and possibly eliminating these challenges.

This Perspective reflects current understanding and future prospects of nanoscale biological recognition at the bio–nano interface and the opportunity that such insights provide for advancing nanoscale therapies. The authors describe the key mechanisms and propose a framework of principles that could guide future research efforts in the area.

This Perspective describes the key advances in nanocatalysts that have led to the impressive electrochemical conversion of CO₂ to useful products and provides benchmarks that others can use to compare their results.