 In this issue, J. F. Scott highlights new results on bismuth ferrite materials which may pave the way to a new generation of lead-free actuator/transducer devices. The Minireview by G. Scalia shows how the self-organization of liquid crystals can be used as a powerful means to control carbon nanotube alignment on the macroscopic scale. In an Article, J. Popp and co-workers introduce an innovative approach to fabricate low-cost and large-scale reproducible substrates for SERS applications. The new method, which is based on the enzyme-induced growth of silver nanostructures, allows easy and economical large-scale production of micropatterned SERS active surfaces (see picture). P. Lemmens, S. K. Pal et al. present a molecular magnet confined in the nanocage of a globular protein. The Communication by I. Stich and colleagues describes the optical, mechanical, and opto-mechanical switching of anchored dithioazobenzene bridges. In the same section, P. Kirsch and M. Bremer offer a first conclusive explanation for the beneficial effects of fluorine in aliphatic bridges within the mesogenic core structure of nematic liquid crystals. A celebratory symposium on the occasion of our 10th anniversary will take place in Paris on May 21st, 2010. The symposium will include lectures by ten prominent scientists, including four Nobel Laureates. You can find more information about this event here. We look forward to seeing you in Paris! Browse issue 02/2010 now.
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