Biological supramolecular structures exhibit both lateral and longitudinal interactions, rendering the structure responsive to changes. Thus far, lateral interactions of synthetically assembled supramolecular polymers have only been elucidated. Inspired by microtubules, this study reports cooperative self-assembly of aryl barbiturate molecules into helical coils, driven by the concerted action of noncovalent lateral and longitudinal interactions. These synthetic polymers uniquely alter with changes in temperature. This conceptual advancement will influence future material designs of next-generation polymers.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common and challenging neurodegenerative diseases globally. It mostly affects older adults, causing irreversible changes in the brain that result in the progression of dementia, behavioral impairments, and worsening of daily living skills. Although Alzheimer's disease has been studied for over a century, there is still no effective treatment. Recent research demonstrated by interdisciplinary team of scientists from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poland and University of Burgos in Spain, highlight the important role of using combined analytical techniques to investigate potential drug candidates. They show how a novel molecule – TDMQ20 – that is proposed as a drug to treat AD, interacts with copper ions, decreasing the harmful effect on neurons. Let’s take a closer look at their breakthrough.

Researchers from TU Delft and Radboud University have discovered that the two-dimensional ferroelectric material CuInP₂S₆ (‘CIPS’) can be used to control the pathway and properties of blue and ultraviolet light like no other material can. With ultraviolet light being the workhorse of advanced chipmaking, high-resolution microscopy and next-generation optical communication technologies, improving the on-chip control over such light is vital. As the researchers describe in the journal Advanced Optical Materials, CIPS can be integrated onto chips, opening exciting new avenues for integrated photonics.

University of Tartu Associate Professor in Climate Physics Velle Toll received the Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC) to quantify the extent to which air pollution particles cool the Earth’s climate. The results of Toll’s work would help fill a gap in our detailed understanding of human-induced climate change and improve the accuracy of climate projections.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly congratulates two of its esteemed researchers on receiving the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant for 2025. Both awardees, who lead groundbreaking work in applied physics and international relations, were selected for one of Europe’s most competitive grants, awarded to researchers 7–12 years after their doctorates. These grants support the establishment of independent research groups, the development of new laboratories, and innovative projects across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. This recognition continues the university’s strong tradition of excellence, adding to the distinguished cohort of Hebrew University ERC recipients in recent years.

Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have partnered with NTNU, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, and the Institute of Nuclear Physics in the Polish Academy of Sciences to develop a method that facilitates the manufacture of particularly efficient magnetic nanomaterials in a relatively simple process based on inexpensive raw materials. Using a highly focused ion beam, they imprint magnetic nanostrips consisting of tiny, vertically aligned nanomagnets onto the materials. As the researchers have reported in the journal Advanced Functional Materials (DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202513904), this geometry makes the material highly sensitive to external magnetic fields and current pulses.