Researchers untangled connections between structure and behavior in a class of liquid crystals consisting of flexible, chain-like molecules that self-organize into twisting patterns. The study opens up new possibilities for designing novel liquid-crystal molecules that allow greater control of nanoscale behavior for technological applications. Read more »
Heliconical-layered nanocylinders (HLNCs) – hierarchical self-assembly in a unique B4 phase liquid crystal morphology
Morphology is of critical importance for molecular crystals, drug molecules, alloys, and elements in the periodic table. We here demonstrate how very subtle structural changes in a set of bent-core liquid crystals lead to rather complex hierarchical superstructures driven by changes in molecular conformation. Read more »
Mechanical Competence and Bone Quality Develop During Skeletal Growth
Researchers explored how bone quality and mechanical competence progress during longitudinal bone growth. Deformation at the tissue, fibril, and mineral length scales was investigated with mechanical tensile tests during small and wide-angle x-ray scattering/diffraction (SAXS/WAXD) experiments, revealing dramatic differences in mechanical resistance with age. Read more »
Conductive triethylene glycol monomethyl ether substituted polythiophenes with high stability in the doped state
Researchers synthesized and characterized two iodine-doped polymers with high conductivity and stability. The doping increases the transparency of thin films of the polymer, which are resistant to common organic solvents. All these properties indicate great potential for the polymers to be used in applications such as organic field effect transistors, organic photovoltaic devices, and sensors. Read more »
Self‐Assembly of Large‐Area 2D Polycrystalline Transition Metal Carbides for Hydrogen Electrocatalysis
Xining Zang et al. develop a self‐assembly process to synthesize 2D transition metal carbides (TMCs). The metal ions (Mo, Co, W) self‐organize within a gelatin template into a lamellar nanostructure. Subsequent carbonization at moderate temperatures in a reducing atmosphere yields ultrathin 2D‐TMC sheets with high conductivity and rich active sites ideal for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Read more »
Rational Optimization of Organic Solar-Cell Materials
Researchers have established a new quantitative model that connects molecular interactions in organic solar-cell materials to device performance. The work suggests a way to quickly identify ideal material mixtures and processing methods, bypassing trial-and-error strategies and minimizing labor-intensive synthesis. Read more »
Enhancing the Efficiency of Organic Photovoltaics by a Photoactive Molecular Mediator
In the search for high-efficiency organic solar cells, additives often play an important role in improving the film morphology. Liquid additives, while often effective, evaporate or migrate over time. Herein, Liu et al. report a solid photoactive molecular mediator that could be employed to replace the liquid additives to tune the morphology of bulk heterojunction films for improved device performance. Read more »
Formation of a Photovoltaic Material from Precursor to Crystal
Lead halide perovskites have emerged as high-performance photovoltaic materials, demonstrating remarkably rapid improvements in efficiency. In situ printing and time-resolved x-ray characterization have provided new insights into the relationship between device efficiency, perovskite crystallinity, and film morphology. Read more »
The Smectic Phase of DNA “Nano-Nunchaku”
Researchers designed DNA sequences that self-assemble into a nanoparticle about 50 nm long, composed of two double-stranded DNA duplexes linked together by a single-stranded DNA filament. The nanoparticle resembles nunchaku—a traditional weapon of several martial arts—but 30 million times smaller. Read more »
Superlattices Patterned by Polymers
Scientists have shown that self-assembled superlattices, made up of nanoparticles with polymer chains grafted onto their surfaces (“hairy nanoparticles,” or polymer “brushes”), can be tailored to exhibit desired characteristics for applications ranging from nano- to biotechnology. Read more »
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