The discrete nature of the cells protects them - and makes the clothes more attractive, the physics and design researchers say. Promising applications include work and outdoor clothing, and curtains which react to changes in the amount of light.

Scientists discovered that some liquid droplets first spread out on surfaces and then contract again on their own. Since they leave virtually no traces when they contract, unlike conventional drying, this opens up new possibilities for cleaning and removing particles from sensitive surfaces such as microchips.

Unlike fictional laser swords, real laser beams do not interact with each other when they cross - unless the beams meet within a suitable material allowing for nonlinear light-matter interaction. In such a case, wave mixing can give rise to beams with changed colors and directions.

For the first time, organic crystals are shown to be highly efficient dynamic materials, capable of meeting the energy conversion needs of advanced technologies.

Study shows what happens when crystalline grains in metals reform at nanometer scales, improving metal properties.

For over a decade, scientists have attempted to synthesize a new form of carbon called graphyne with limited success. That endeavor is now at an end.