Graphene, elastomers, and hybrid molecule–surfaces – these and more in October’s physics highlights.

UCNP 2.0: Engineering the upconversion excitation wavelength to a sweet spot
Researchers develop inproved upconversion nanoparticles for medical imaging.

Attraction and Repulsion: Cellular Micropatterns on a Graphene Film
Cells can be grown in micropatterns of poly-D-lysine on graphene, opening a door for cell bassed sensor applications.

New microparticles to improve flu vaccines
An antigen delivery system based on quaternized chitosan hydrogel microparticles has been developed at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

More Information from Raman Scattering
Mapping of chemical contents and their spatial distribution in a complex biological environment such as cells can be achieved by a new imaging modality.
September highlights from physica status solidi
Nanowires, solar cells, and silicene – these and more in September’s physics highlights.

Spotlight on Polymer Chemistry, Issue 20
The Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry highlights some important research in the latest issue.

Uniform drug release vehicle may improve brain cancer therapy
Microcapsules containing a brain cancer drug may simplify treatment and provide more tightly controlled therapy, according to Penn State researchers.

Dissolvable microneedle patches for transdermal drug delivery
The application of biocompatible polymeric microneedle patches is discussed as a promising and straightforward method of transdermal drug delivery.

A drug/gene co-delivery nanoplatform
Jun Feng and collaborators address drug delivery challenges by applying boronic acid coupling and host-guest chemistry.