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Surfaces are special states of matter. New experiments show that the non-ideal behaviour of nanoclusters on the surface of a catalyst strongly affects their tendency to form larger clusters, and therefore the catalyst's performance.
Future computers will require nanoscale transistors with high-dielectric-constant gate oxides. Carbon nanotube transistors integrated with ZrO2 gate oxides emerge as very promising candidates.
Eating sugar gives us a boost when we feel tired because our cells use it as fuel to produce energy. Likewise, sugar can now be used to produce power in artificial biological fuel cells that function in a physiological environment.
Photosynthetic organisms use light to create chemical gradients across bilayer membranes that drive energetically unfavourable reactions. Synthetic systems that accomplish the same feat may find uses in a variety of biological and non-biological applications.
Quantum dots are candidates for quantum computing applications, but the coherence time of their quantum states must be improved. Recent optical measurements on single quantum dots indicate that the local environment plays a large role.
Molecular engineering strategies can be used to develop new features in nonlinear optical systems. Self-assembly based on chiral molecules is one important approach that opens up interesting routes in materials development.