MIT scientists discover flexible molecular connections unlock new nanoparticle crystal structures

MIT researchers have challenged two decades of conventional materials science thinking by demonstrating that flexible molecular connections, rather than rigid ones, can lead to entirely new ways of arranging nanoparticles. This breakthrough could overcome a major obstacle in materials science and enable the creation of a new generation of designer materials with unusual properties for applications in electronics, medicine, and energy. The findings are expected to be published in Nature Materials.