The most abundant biopolymer, cellulose, occurs as a supra-molecular organisation of poly-glucan chains. The cellulose produced by bacteria has been characterised by various techniques including SEM, AFM, PXRD and SAXS, to elucidate the multi-level organisation. A model has been developed to relate this organisation to the cellulose biosynthetic machinery in bacteria.

Nanoporous gold is a material with many possible applications e.g. in catalysts, sensors and electrode materials. We studied the functionalization of the nanoporous gold with TiO2 particles. Aiming at the low temperature oxidation of CO, the nanoporous gold can be coated with TiO2 in order to enhance catalytic activity. Structure and distribution of the TiO2 on the gold surface are important structural features, which were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The preparation of the porous gold was tested with focused ion beam - preparation, conventional Ar+ ion beam preparation of nanoporous gold embedded in epoxy and ultramicrotome preparation of nanoporous gold embedded in epoxy. Considering the beam damage on the structure and the contamination of the surface, ultramicrotome preparation turned out to be the best solution. It was shown, that the gold ligaments are abundantly covered by approximately 5 nm TiO2 particles. The determination of the largest lattice fringe distance in high resolution mode revealed that the crystalline nanoparticles consist of the anatase phase. The spatial Ti distribution was measured with energy filtered transmission electron microscopy. Scanning transmission electron microscopy tomography was applied to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of the gold coated with TiO2 particles.

The body and elytra of the diamond weevil, Entimus imperialis, is studded with numerous brightly colored scales. The scales exhibit brilliant reflections because they contain unusually large diamond-type photonic crystals. The scales are concentrated in pits on the otherwise black elytra. This framing enhances the color contrast when the weevil is observed from nearby. From a distance the diamond weevil looks green, alike green foliage. Another weevil, Eupholus cuvieri, has also scales with green reflective photonic crystals, but here the scales are arranged closely apposed on the planar elytra. Both weevils use photonic crystals for camouflage, but the display methods are different.

Here we show that microtubular bundles bend flexibly under a hydrodynamic flow to form teardrop patterns. In a highly concentrated microtubular solution, patterns of same-sized teardrops form according to the maximum critical curvature, which is determined by the specific rigidity of the microtubules. Our understanding is that these micropatterns grow when microtubular bundles with hydrodynamic flow energy are converted into stable teardrop patterns as a higher structure. This conversion is generated by the combined effect of multiple kinds of energy, including heat and hydrodynamic flow, as well as life systems. These self-generating patterns in a spatio-temporal stream are reminiscent of what the artist Edward Munch called a scream of nature. We also envision that microtubular pattering with hierarchical structure will broaden the potential application of these geometrical structures and guide biomimetic material engineering towards areas such as integrated energy conversion, soft material patterning, and living signal transduction.

A new technology to size nanoparticles in liquids is presented. The technique is based on aerosol technology coupled to a nanoparticle nebulizer. This allows number concentration measurements in the size range ca. 5 to 500 nm with high peak resolution.

Environmental concerns emphasize the urgent need for the development of biodegradable polymers. In this study, poly (lactic acid) (PLA), being a biodegradable polymer matrix, was used together with poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) to enhance its low toughness. In addition, the deterioration in mechanical properties owing to plasticization was tried to be overcome by addition of nanofiller. As nanofiller, two nanotubular halloysite (HNT) types, one local (ESAN HNT) and an imported one (Nanoclay HNT) supplied by Aldrich, were used. As the first step, characterization and purification of local HNT was performed. In the second step, plasticized and unplasticized PLA matrix composites containing 3, 5 and 10 wt % were prepared and their morphological and mechanical analysis were performed. Upon the addition of both ESAN HNT (local HNT) and Nanoclay HNT (imported HNT) no improvement was observed in the basal spacing of the clay layers owing to poor interaction between the matrix and the surface of the nanotubes which should be modified for better dispersion.