Title: Associate or Senior Editor, Nature Catalysis Locations: Shanghai, Beijing, Milan and Pune – hybrid working model Application Deadline: July 12, 2026 (Candidates will be considered as they apply...

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) present one of the most interesting collections of properties among nanomaterials. Some sort of chemical modification of SWNTs is often used as a strategy to mak...

More than 30 years have elapsed since the description of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Thirty years of intense research effort initially focused on elucidating the outstanding physical properties of SWCNTs, which gave rise to hopes for an immediate technological revolution. In parallel, advancements in synthesis and purification procedures afforded ever better samples of SWCNTs. A deeper understanding of the difficulties in exploiting the extraordinary intrinsic properties of SWCNTs and the advent of graphene marked the end of the hype. SWCNTs have now stepped out of the valley of disillusionment and are firmly climbing the slope of enlightenment. In this review, we highlight three broad concepts that we believe will permeate research in SWCNTs for the next few years: chemistry, chirality, and complexity. The quality of commercially available SWCNT samples, coupled with advances in characterization techniques, particularly microscopy, facilitates complex chemical derivatization of SWCNTs with reliable structural characterization. The endohedral modification of SWCNTs, inclusion of quantum defects, and synthesis of mechanically interlocked derivatives are illustrative examples. We also overview how enantiomeric resolution of SWCNTs enables new fields of research such as chiral sensing, catalysis, and spin filtering. Complexity, once seen as an enemy, now shows promise in several fields, as exemplified by physically unclonable functions and neuromorphic computing. These three axes, controlled chemical modification, chiral discrimination, and system-level complexity, are increasingly interwoven, defining an emerging research landscape for SWCNTs. Taken together, they offer a framework for reimagining the roles of SWCNTs in both fundamental science and technology. We hope this review inspires innovative research lines and encourages young scientists to focus on SWCNTs.

IMDEA Nanociencia es un centro de investigación interdisciplinar dedicado a la exploración de la nanociencia y al desarrollo de aplicaciones de la nanotecnología en relación con industrias innovadoras...

A team of researchers at IMDEA Nanociencia institute and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore has unveiled a new class of gas sensors based on MINT-functionalized carbon nanotubes, offering unpreceden...

We demonstrate the possibility of using an array of MINT-based chemiresistors for the selective detection of VOCs at room temperature. Four new types of MINTs with different functional groups (MINTALKENE (X:–CH = CH2), MINTCOOMe (X:–COOMe), MINTCOOH (X:–COOH), and MINTOH (X:–CH2OH)) were specifically synthesized to prepare a set of six sensing layers, which included, in addition to the new MINTs, a pristine SWNTs layer and a MINTXYLENE layer. The functionalized sensing layers were tested by exposing them to NH3, NO2, EtOH, IPA, acetone, benzene, and NaClO vapors in the ppm range. We showed that MINT functionalization enhances response to analytes with respect to pristine SWNTs. When assembled into an array, our sensing layers can operate at room temperature as an electronic nose, disclosing the possibility of using these layers in low-power-consumption wearable devices. Correlation plots, PCA, and UMAP analysis show that a remarkable discrimination of ammonia with respect to interfering gases can be reached by the e-nose. Gas mixtures were also discriminated, as shown for NH3/ethanol, acetone/ethanol, and isopropanol/acetone mixtures, which are relevant in view of breathomics applications. The efficient preparation method of sensing layers allows for an improvement of performance, as shown for one of the best performing chemiresistors in the set, resulting in a sensitivity increase (up to 10×) and a dramatic reduction of response and recovery times.

Celebrating the molecule that changed the world

The achievement of unidirectional molecular movement is a significant challenge due to competition by Brownian motion. Nature can overcome this proble…

In the fields of bioimaging, photonics, and quantum science, it is equally crucial to combine high brightness with a nanoscale size in short-wave infrared (SWIR) emitters. However, such nanoemitters a...

The discovery and development of artificial catalysts to carry out bioorthogonal reactions in living cells is a primary goal at the interface of Chemistry and Biology. Current approaches rely on time-...

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In molecular shuttles, a ring molecule is threaded onto a linear molecular strand and can move between two portions of the strand, called stations, in response to external stimuli. Chemical stimuli, l...

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We consider an overdamped Brownian particle in a well. When the particle escapes, it does so as an instanton, i.e., in one run and without dwelling anywhere on the way from the bottom of the well to t...

This study explores microscopic reversibility to understand the operation of molecular devices.

Measuring individual trajectories during the operation of synthetic devices is crucial for a thorough understanding of this operation. Here, we use op…

An early love of construction toys led the Scottish chemist to thread molecules together, opening up a new field of chemistry. An early love of construction toys led the Scottish chemist to thread molecules together, opening up a new field of chemistry.

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This fellowship is for non-UK scientists who are at an early stage of their research career and wish to conduct research in the UK.

Researchers have chemically linked 2D materials using a molecular "velcro," resulting in a device with improved optoelectronic properties.