COSMOS

A Colorful Spin on Silk.

Transforming C60 Molecules into Graphene Quantum Dots.

Molecular Electronics.

Wafer-scale Graphene/Ferroelectric Hybrid Devices for Non-volatile Memory Applications.

A Single Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell of Parallel Configuration.

Using Ferns to Clean up Arsenic-Tainted Water for Food and Water Supply Safety.

Data storage is one area of technology where nanotechnology has been used even before the term nanotechnology became very popular. The magnetic recording media — the disk that stores information in hard disk drives — used nanotechnology in the late 1990s, in the form of grains which are 15 nm or less in diameter (the grains in current technology are about 8 nm in diameter). The reading sensors of hard disk also make use of thin nanostructures in several dimensions to read information from the recording media. This paper introduces the technology behind the magnetic random access memory and related topics, which form the core of the symposium L of ICMAT 2011, which is titled "Memory, Nanomagnetics, Materials and Devices".

A wide range of new materials for many applications can be formed by controlling the composition and order of constituents at the molecular level. For systems thus engineered, ensuring chemical, thermal and mechanical robustness is a major challenge. Consequently, polyimides and other imide-containing materials are attractive as matrices for functional materials. We investigate the construction of functional nanostructures in organic/polymeric matrices with clearly demonstrated chemical, thermal and mechanical stability. Surface functionalization, layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly in various media (including supercritical), incorporation of functional moieties, molecular orientation, and interfacial reactions are areas of interest. We demonstrate the robustness of ultrathin film structures containing polyimides and oligoimides formed by LBL molecular assembly with inter-layer covalent links. Covalent bonding between the layers provides strength, while utilizing a supercritical medium for the processing, results in the deployment of a solvent-free environment and avoids problems related to residual solvent, thereby improving film quality when compared to conventional films.

Surfactants self-associate in aqueous solutions to form micelles. Less well-known is that they form a wide range of liquid crystals — through self-association. These liquid crystals often occur in consumer products where they play an essential role in product stability and function. Some products are marketed in a liquid crystalline state although they are not recognized by the consumer (or, on occasion, by the manufacturer). This review describes the formation of micelles and the various liquid crystalline phases. These include lamellar, hexagonal, cubic and gel phases which have different long range structures but are based on micelles. The key factors linking surfactant molecular structure to liquid crystal architecture have been elucidated. These are the sizes of the surfactant hydrophobic tail(s) and head groups, together with the head group charge and the presence of any additives. Examples of liquid crystals in emulsion stabilization, household cleaners, conditioners, detergent liquid and some food are described.