52/2008

Heavy Pyridine Crystallizes Differently
Deuterated pyridine adopts a different crystalline form: a useful effect for pharmaceuticals? (PDF)

Isotopic Polymorphism in Pyridine

Roland Boese, Universität Duisburg-Essen (Germany)

51/2008

Progress Toward a Biological Fuel Cell?
Metal-reducing bacteria and semiconducting nanominerals aggregate to form electrically conducting networks (PDF)

Self-Constructed Electrically Conductive Bacterial Networks

Kazuhito Hashimoto, University of Tokyo (Japan)

50/2008

All the Colors of the Rainbow
Porous polymer gel as electroactive photonic crystal for color displays (PDF)

Electroactive Inverse Opal: A Single Material for All Colors

Geoffrey A. Ozin, University of Toronto (Canada)

49/2008

Radical Scavengers in Red Smear Cheeses
Natural carotenoid with unusual structure protects against oxidative damage (PDF)

3,3'-Dihydroxyisorenieratene, a Natural Carotenoid with Superior Antioxidant and Photoprotective Properties

Hans-Dieter Martin, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf (Germany)

48/2008

Fluorescent Grooves
Fingerprints from the scene of the crime will soon reveal drug abuse (PDF)

Imaging of Latent Fingerprints through the Detection of Drugs and Metabolites

David A. Russell, University of East Anglia, Norwich (UK)

47/2008

Hope for Alzheimer's Patients?
Dipeptide blocks the formation of toxic amyloid β-peptide aggregates in mice (PDF)

Cognitive-Performance Recovery of Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice by Modulation of Early Soluble Amyloidal Assemblies

Ehud Gazit, Tel Aviv University (Israel)

46/2008

Coming Soon: Improved Lithium Ion Batteries?
Three-dimensional porous silicon is a highly efficient lithium-storing anode (PDF)

Three-Dimensional Porous Silicon Particles for Use in High-Performance Lithium Secondary Batteries

Jaephil Cho, Hanyang University, Ansan (South Korea)

45/2008

Nanotube Construction Set
Molecular trees and sugar cuffs are components for nanotubes with tailored surfaces (PDF)

Tunable Fluorescent Dendron-Cyclodextrin Nanotubes for Hybridization with Metal Nanoparticles and their Biosensory Function

Chulhee Kim, Inha University, Incheon (South Korea)

44/2008

Turbocharged Nanomotors
Silver/gold alloy makes hydrogen peroxide fuelled nanorod move especially fast (PDF)

Ultrafast Catalytic Alloy Nanomotors

Joseph Wang, University of California, San Diego (USA)

43/2008

Blue Bananas
Ripening bananas glow an intense blue under black light (PDF)

Blue Luminescence of Ripening Bananas

Bernhard Kräutler, University of Innsbruck (Austria)

42/2008

Tracking Down the Cause of Mad Cow Disease
First synthetic prion protein with an anchor (PDF)

Semisynthesis of a Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Prion Protein

Christian F. W. Becker, Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Physiologie, Dortmund (Germany)

41/2008

Progress Toward New Storage Media
Switchable nanostripes: spin-transition compound can be deposited in ordered crystalline microstructures (PDF)

Micro- and Nanopatterning of Spin-Transition Compounds into Logical Structures

Massimiliano Cavallini, CNR, Institute for Nanostructured Materials, Bologna (Italy)

40/2008

Ruthenium in a Clinch
Selectively and under mild conditions: primary amines from alcohols and ammonia with a ruthenium catalyst (PDF)

Selective Synthesis of Primary Amines Directly from Alcohols and Ammonia

David Milstein, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot (Israel)

39/2008

A New Explosive
Melt-castable nitrate ester with high explosive energy (PDF)

Synthesis of an Energetic Nitrate Ester

David E. Chavez, Los Alamos National Laboratory (USA)

38/2008

Amphibian Froth
Unusual linkage pattern in a blue protein found in the foam nests of tropical frogs (PDF)

Unusual Chromophore and Cross-Links in Ranasmurfin: A Blue Protein from the Foam Nests of a Tropical Frog

Alan Cooper, University of Glasgow (UK)

37/2008

New Ways to Use Biomass
Tungsten carbide as catalyst for cost-effective conversion of cellulose into industrially useful carbon compounds (PDF)

Direct Catalytic Conversion of Cellulose into Ethylene Glycol Using Nickel-Promoted Tungsten Carbide Catalysts

Jingguang G. Chen, University of Delaware, Newark (USA)

36/2008

Noble Fungi
Noble metal nanoparticles deposit on the mycelium of growing fungi—an approach to new catalytic systems? (PDF)

Fungal Templates for Noble-Metal Nanoparticles and Their Application in Catalysis

Alexander Eychmüller, Technische Universität Dresden (Germany)

35/2008

Golden Rods
For medical applications: production of gold nanorods without the use of cytotoxic additives (PDF)

Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids as Efficient Shape-Regulating Solvents for the Synthesis of Gold Nanorods

Michael R. Bockstaller, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh (USA)

34/2008

Single Crystals as Reaction Vessels
In a crystal, but like in solution: chemical reactions in the pores of single crystals (PDF)

Single-Crystalline Molecular Flasks: Chemical Transformation with Bulky Reagents in the Pores of Porous Coordination Networks

Makoto Fujita, University of Tokyo (Japan)

33/2008

Molecular Cubes in the Sunlight
Catalyst for water oxidation adopted from plants: a means for energy-efficient production of hydrogen? (PDF)

Sustained Water Oxidation Photocatalysis by a Bioinspired Manganese Cluster

Leone Spiccia, Monash University, Victoria (Australia)

32/2008

Gel undergoes Peristalsis
As though alive: polymer gel moves without external stimulus (PDF)

Peristaltic Motion of Polymer Gels

Shingo Maeda, Waseda University, Tokyo (Japan)

31/2008

Keeping an Eye on the Surroundings
Protein folding: terahertz absorption spectroscopy detects changes in protein–water network (PDF)

Real-Time Detection of Protein–Water Dynamics upon Protein Folding by Terahertz Absorption Spectroscopy

Martin Gruebele, University of Illinois, Urbana (USA)

30/2008

Fuel from Cellulose
Inexpensive, efficient, and easy: direct formation of furan-based biofuels from cellulose (PDF)

Direct, High-Yield Conversion of Cellulose into Biofuel

Mark Mascal, University of California, Davis (USA)

29/2008

Artificial Lotus Effect
Carbon nanotubes with nanoscopic paraffin coating form superhydrophobic, self-cleaning surfaces (PDF)

Bioinspired Superhydrophobic Coatings of Carbon Nanotubes and Linear π Systems Based on the “Bottom-up” Self-Assembly Approach

Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum (India)

28/2008

For Clean Water
Chlorine-tolerant membranes for desalination (PDF)

Highly Chlorine-Tolerant Polymers for Desalination

Benny D. Freeman, University of Texas at Austin (USA)

27/2008

Combating Secondary Infections in Clinics
Just dive in: natural product hybrid provides antimicrobial and cell-resistant surfaces (PDF)

Antimicrobial Surfaces through Natural Product Hybrids

Karl Gademann, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland)

26/2008

Molecular Hula Hoop
Spinning motion of a molecular rotor detected (PDF)

Single-Molecule Imaging of Rotaxanes Immobilized on Glass Substrates: Observation of Rotary Movement

Akira Harada, Osaka University (Japan)

25/2008

Hard Shell, Soft Core
Enzyme used as nanoreactor for semiconductor synthesis at room temperature (PDF)

Urease as a Nanoreactor for Growing Crystalline ZnO Nanoshells at Room Temperature

Hiroshi Matsui, Hunter College, City University of New York (USA)

24/2008

Tracking Prions
Magnetic resonance studies find clear differences between the structures of infectious and non-infectious prions (PDF)

Infectious and Noninfectious Amyloids of the HET-s(218-289) Prion Have Different NMR Spectra

Beat H. Meier, ETH Zürich (Switzerland)

23/2008

Fair Trade
Lanthanum chloride catalyzes hydrogen–chlorine exchange between chlorinated hydrocarbons (PDF)

Catalytic Hydrogen-Chlorine Exchange between Chlorinated Hydrocarbons under Oxygen-Free Conditions

Bert M. Weckhuysen, Universiteit Utrecht (The Netherlands)

22/2008

Talking to Cells
Sweet nothings: Artificial vesicles and bacterial cells communicate by way of sugar components (PDF)

Sweet Talking Double Hydrophilic Block Copolymer Vesicles

Cameron Alexander, University of Nottingham (UK)

21/2008

A Wafer of Polyethylene
Ultrathin polyethylene films made of nanocrystals (PDF)

Crystalline Polymer Ultrathin Films from Mesoscopic Precursors

Stefan Mecking, Universität Konstanz (Germany)

20/2008

Self-Assembled Viruses
Intended for use in gene therapy, artificial viruses efficiently carry genes and drug molecules into tumor cells (PDF)

Filamentous Artificial Virus from a Self-Assembled Discrete Nanoribbon

Myongsoo Lee, Yonsei University, Seoul (Korea)

19/2008

Protein Fibrils as Alternative Plastics?
Amyloids are not just pathological agents, they are interesting nanomaterials (PDF)

Amyloids: Not Only Pathological Agents but Also Ordered Nanomaterials

Ehud Gazit, Tel Aviv University (Israel)

18/2008

Golden Nanocrown
Held together by metal-metal bonds: a large ring containing 36 gold atoms (PDF)

Au₃₆ Crown: A Macrocyclization Directed by Metal–Metal Bonding Interactions

Shu-Yan Yu, Renmin University of China, Beijing (China)

17/2008

Lab in a Drop
Lab-on-a-chip to the extreme: pocket-sized PCR rapid test including sample preparation (PDF)

Clockwork PCR Including Sample Preparation

Jürgen Pipper, Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (Singapore)

16/2008

Green Gel
Hybrid material made from polymers and proteins fluoresces and responds to pH value and temperature (PDF)

Protein-Cross-Linked Polymeric Materials through Site-Selective Bioconjugation

Matthew B. Francis, University of California, Berkeley (USA)

15/2008

Power from Formic Acid
Room temperature is warm enough: hydrogen for fuel cells from formic acid (PDF)

Controlled generation of hydrogen from formic acid amine adducts at room temperature and application in H₂/O₂ fuel cells

Matthias Beller, Universität Rostock (Germany)

14/2008

Nano-Softball Made of DNA
“Programmed” oligonucleotides with three branches organize themselves into dodecahedra (PDF)

Self-Assembly of a DNA Dodecahedron from 20 Trisoligonucleotides with C_3h Linkers

Günter von Kiedrowski, Ruhr-Universität Bochum (Germany)

13/2008

Yeast in an Egg Shell
Artificial mineral coat helps yeast cells to have a longer life and new properties (PDF)

Yeast Cells with an Artificial Mineral Shell: Protection and Modification of Living Cells by Biomimetic Mineralization

Ruikang Tang, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou (China)

12/2008

Eco-Friendly Pyrotechnics
Fireworks pollute—nitrogen-rich compounds now pave the way for ecological alternatives (PDF)

“Green” Pyrotechnics: A Chemists´ Challenge

Thomas M. Klapötke, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Germany)

11/2008

Mini-Donut Catches Chloride Ions
Structurally stable macrocycle acts as chelate ligand for anions (PDF)

Pure C-H Hydrogen Bonding to Chloride Ions: A Preorganized and Rigid Macrocyclic Receptor

Amar H. Flood, Indiana University, Bloomington (USA)

10/2008

Skewered Pumpkins
Switchable nanovalves: pH-sensitive pseudorotaxane as reversible gate for drug nanotransporter (PDF)

pH-Responsive Supramolecular Nanovalves Based on Cucurbit[6]uril Pseudorotaxanes

Jeffrey I. Zink, University of California, Los Angeles (USA)

09/2008

Cellular Construction Methods Emulated
Versatile compartmentalized nanostructures by orthogonal aggregation of surfactants and gelators (PDF)

Preparation of Nanostructures by Orthogonal Self-Assembly of Hydrogelators and Surfactants

Jan van Esch, University of Delft (The Netherlands)

08/2008

Rusty Worms in the Brain
Nanomineralization of iron: Does the iron transporter transferrin play a role in neurodegenerative diseases? (PDF)

Periodic Iron Nanomineralization in Human Serum Transferrin Fibrils

Peter J. Sadler, University of Warwick, Coventry (UK)

07/2008

Capturing Sunlight
Indoline dyes improve efficiency of solar cells (PDF)

Organic Dye-Sensitized Ionic Liquid Based Solar Cells: Remarkable Enhancement in Performance through Molecular Design of Indoline Sensitizers

Michael Grätzel, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland)

06/2008

Kilogram Quantities At Last!
Isocitric acid from fermentation of sunflower oil—a new building block for pharma? (PDF)

Syntheses with a Chiral Building Block from the Citric Acid Cycle: (2R,3S)-Isocitric Acid by Fermentation of Sunflower Oil

Athanassios Giannis, Universität Leipzig (Germany)

05/2008

They Were Right After All
Disputed total synthesis of quinine by Woodward and Doering confirmed (PDF)

Rabe Rest in Peace: Confirmation of the Rabe-Kindler Conversion of d-Quinotoxine to Quinine: Experimental Affirmation of the Woodward-Doering Formal Total Synthesis of Quinine

Robert M. Williams, Colorado State University (USA)

04/2008

Genetic Material under a Magnifying Glass
Direct sequencing of single RNA strands with tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (PDF)

Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of Single RNA Strands: Towards a Novel Direct-Sequencing Method

Volker Deckert, ISAS Dortmund (Germany)

03/2008

Cells Get Sprayed
Water droplets produced by electrospray render cells permeable to external DNA (PDF)

DNA Introduction into Living Cells by Water Droplet Impact with an Electrospray Process

Takafumi Sakai, Saitama University (Japan)

02/2008

Silver-rich Lumps
Large cluster complexes with almost 500 silver atoms (PDF)

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of the Ligand-Stabilized Silver Chalcogenide Clusters [Ag₁₅₄Se₇₇(dppxy)₁₈], [Ag₃₂₀(StBu)₆₀S₁₃₀(dppp)₁₂], [Ag₃₅₂S₁₂₈(StC₅H₁₁)₉₆] and [Ag₄₉₀S₁₈₈(StC₅H₁₁)₁₁₄]

Dieter Fenske, Universität Karlsruhe (Germany)

01/2008

Animated Movie of Ice
Melting ice crystals in a computer animation (PDF)

Picosecond Melting of Ice by an Infrared Laser Pulse: A Simulation Study

David van der Spoel, Uppsala University (Sweden)