Biomedical devices Research update Tissue-like hydrogel semiconductors show promise for next-generation bioelectronics A new hydrogel material combines the characteristics of biological tissues with the electronic functionalities of semiconductors Read article: Tissue-like hydrogel semiconductors show promise for next-generation bioelectronics
Advanced materials Research update Elastic response explains why cordierite has ultra-low thermal expansion Interplay between lattice vibrations and elasticity explains anisotropic behaviour Read article: Elastic response explains why cordierite has ultra-low thermal expansion
Advanced materials Research update Filter inspired by deep-sea sponge cleans up oil spills Bio-inspired vortex-anchored filter captures more than 97% of floating, underwater and emulsified oils, even under strong turbulent flow Read article: Filter inspired by deep-sea sponge cleans up oil spills
Environment and energy Research update Alternative building materials could store massive amounts of carbon dioxide Materials such as concrete containing carbonate-based aggregates, bio-based plastics and biochar could sequester more than 16 billion tonnes of CO2 a year Read article: Alternative building materials could store massive amounts of carbon dioxide
Advanced materials Research update Very thin films of a novel semimetal conduct electricity better than copper Result in niobium phosphide contradicts typical metal behaviour Read article: Very thin films of a novel semimetal conduct electricity better than copper
Advanced materials Podcasts How the UK Metamaterials Network supports scientific and commercial innovation Network leads Alastair Hibbins and Claire Dancer are our podcast guests Read article: How the UK Metamaterials Network supports scientific and commercial innovation
Education and outreach Podcasts Top tips for physics outreach from a prize winner, making graphene more sustainable This podcast features an advanced-materials expert and a prizewinning science communicator Read article: Top tips for physics outreach from a prize winner, making graphene more sustainable
Magnetism and spin Research update Orbital angular momentum monopoles appear in a chiral crystal Experimental observations at the Swiss Light Source could advance the development of energy-efficient memory devices based on "orbitronics" Read article: Orbital angular momentum monopoles appear in a chiral crystal
Optics and photonics Research update Liquid-crystal bifocal lens excels at polarization and edge imaging Applied voltage adjusts intensity at twin focal points Read article: Liquid-crystal bifocal lens excels at polarization and edge imaging
Advanced materials Research update Vortex cannon generates toroidal electromagnetic pulses Electromagnetic vortex pulses could be employed for information encoding, high-capacity communication and more Read article: Vortex cannon generates toroidal electromagnetic pulses