Themed collection Conference collection: 6th ERC Grantees Conference 2025

This perspective gives an outlook on the design of interparticle confined nanocavities in self-assembled NP systems and their functional relevance.

Mixed-dimensional heterostructures of 2D perfluoroarene perovskite phases are used in resistive switching memories based on perovskite solar cells, showing enhanced performance and stability, which highlights the perspective for self-powered memories.

This work investigates the changes in the mechanical properties of glycolated polythiophenes induced by electrochemical addressing and by electrolyte concentration, due to its ability to stabilize water.

High-resolution HSQC NMR titrations enable simultaneous analysis of the host–guest chemistry of large-ring cyclodextrins, revealing strong interactions between large, flexible cyclodextrins and hydrophobic guests.

A bistable rotaxane molecular switch sensitive to environmental changes such as solvent polarity or ion pairing. The coconformational equilibrium distribution can be fine-tuned exploiting the small energy difference between the two weak stations.

A doubly-interlocked [2]catenane – or Solomon link – undergoes a complex conformational change upon addition of sulfate in methanol.

Rigid ladder-type conjugated polymers enable the development of stable and high-performance organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) and complementary OECT-based amplifiers for brain-inspired artificial neurons.

PEG-b-PLA polymersomes are used as nanoreactors for the photodimerization of acenaphthylene (ACE), increasing reaction rate significantly.

We show that the optical properties of indigo carmine can be modulated by encapsulation within a coordination cage.

The combined effect of weakly electron-withdrawing benzoxadiazole moiety and the nitro groups leads to the exceptionally red-shifted emission (638 nm in cyclohexane).

A series of two-way photoswitching norbornadiene derivatives is designed for efficient and robust energy conversion. A flow MOST device and MOST films demonstrate optically controlled energy release in solution and solid state, respectively.

This work outlines a simple synthetic strategy providing formylated stiff-stilbenes. The photoisomerization of formylated stiff-stilbenes could be fully controlled using visible light and is accompanied by a high photostationary state distribution.

We describe the photoactivation of light-oxygen-voltage-sensing domains (LOV domains) with in situ generated blue light from a chemiluminescence reaction, opening new possibilities for optogenetic tools in optically non-transparent systems.

A novel supramolecular tryptophan hinge motif enables the self-assembly of nanotube monolayers by hierarchical non-covalent polymerisation of cyclic peptides in lateral contact.

An ATP-fueled DNA based enzymatic reaction network regulates transient co-assemblies of micron-scale colloids. The system produces minimal waste, shows ATP-dependent behavior, and can be reactivated for up to three consecutive cycles.

A water-soluble, tetra-ortho-isopropoxy-substituted azobenzene is employed as a photo-removable and recyclable template for the enzymatic conversion of α-cyclodextrin to γ-cyclodextrin.

Through simple synthetic modifications, the indigo dye becomes an efficient red-light photoswitch – now also in the solid state.

Extended polymeric structures based on redox-active species are of great interest in emerging technologies related to energy conversion and storage.

2-Chloromethyl acryl derivatives (acrylamides and acrylates) can serve as simple and versatile bioconjugation reagents to achieve site-selective cysteine and disulfide modification on demand and with high efficiency.

Using a rotaxane biradical, we unambiguously demonstrate the need consider both J and rate of conformational interconversion carefully when interpreting the spectra of such systems when they are employed as spin probes in solution.

Straightforward polymerisation and nucleophilic deprotection enable the production of a plurality of strong polyelectrolytes with various counterions, the nature of which strongly influences the thermal and solution properties of the macromolecules.

The contraction of nanomaterials triggered by stimuli can be harnessed for micro- and nanoscale energy harvesting, sensing, and artificial muscles toward manipulation and directional motion.

The post-folding structural stability of DNA origami was studied in water-miscible organic solvents. While DNA origami remains stable in high acetone and ethanol concentrations, it degrades more rapidly in the presence of DMF and DMSO.

Membrane-disrupting and pore-forming peptides (PFPs) discovered by an active machine learning cycle. Predictions were iteratively refined using molecular dynamics simulations, and the final selection was experimentally verified in planar bilayers.

6-Azopurines were evaluated for their reductive stability, and the ability to modulate CKIα activity and cellular circadian rhythms, revealing key challenges for long-term activity modulation utilizing chronophotopharmacology.

The oxime connection between linear peptides and hydrophobic aldehydes affords amphiphiles that are excellent biocompatible scaffolds for the hierarchical self-assembly of nano and micro fibrillar structures in aqueous media.