It's Research Highlight time!

First up, a method for creating patterns that works on different length scales at the same time AND doesn't need a time-consuming predefined pattern. It's called polymer pen lithography and relies on the 'squishiness' of the polymer to create patterns on different scales.

Next, metal-organic framework materials could be used to remove harmful gases from the air. Thanks to the fact that you can tune the size and functionality of their pores, they perform better than activated carbon.

What's your favourite ligand? Maybe in future it could be a cyclic vinylidenephosphorane, now that Guy Bertrand and colleagues have made a stable one. These have been proposed as alternatives to N-heterocyclic carbenes, but none has been found to exist at room temperature until now.

And finally, continuing our selfless quest to investigate beer so you don't have to, we were alarmed to read this story at New Scientist this morning: 'Gender bending' chemicals found in beer and wine.

Neil

Neil Withers (Associate Editor, Nature Chemistry)