Editor’s note

It is a great honor to present this Special Topic of Chinese Science Bulletin on high-speed optoelectronic devices and technologies. High-speed optoelectronics is a rapid developing technology dealing with a wide range of disciplines and technologies, such as material sciences, photonics and microelectronics.     

Special Issue for some new progress made by AMSS and Kyoto University on mathematical methods for informatics,engineering and management

<正> This special issue presents some new progress in mathematical methods for informatics, engineeringand management that is expected to trigger thought and deepen further research. Forthis purpose, 14 papers were selected mainly from the invited talks at the CAS-Kyoto UniversityJoint Workshop on Mathematical Methods for Informatics, Engineering and Management,     

An in vitro method for studying the metabolism of young bone matrix]

A method for studying in vitro bone resorption by the use of 35S labeled injection was investigated. Various substances (papaine) and hormones (calcitonin, vitamin D analogues) were tested and their effects on 35S and 45Ca metabolism were compared.     

Room-temperature ferroelectricity in supramolecular networks of charge-transfer complexes

Materials exhibiting a spontaneous electrical polarization that can be switched easily between antiparallel orientations are of potential value for sensors, photonics and energy-efficient memories. In this context, organic ferroelectrics are of particular interest because they promise to be lightweight, inexpensive and easily processed into devices. A recently identified family of organic ferroelectric structures is based on intermolecular charge transfer, where donor and acceptor molecules co-crystallize in an alternating fashion known as a mixed stack: in the crystalline lattice, a collective transfer of electrons from donor to acceptor molecules results in the formation of dipoles that can be realigned by an external field as molecules switch partners in the mixed stack. Although mixed stacks have been investigated extensively, only three systems are known to show ferroelectric switching, all below 71 kelvin. Here we describe supramolecular charge-transfer networks that undergo ferroelectric polarization switching with a ferroelectric Curie temperature above room temperature. These polar and switchable systems utilize a structural synergy between a hydrogen-bonded network and charge-transfer complexation of donor and acceptor molecules in a mixed stack. This supramolecular motif could help guide the development of other functional organic systems that can switch polarization under the influence of electric fields at ambient temperatures.     

Preface： Advanced Thin Film Developments and Nano Structures

In this special issue, we invited a few leading materials researchers to present topics in thin films, coatings, and nano structures. Readers will find most recent developments in topics, including recent advances in hard, tough, and low friction nanocomposite coatings; thin films for coating nanomaterials; electroless plating of silver thin films on porous Al2O3 substrate; CrN/Nano Cr interlayer coatings; nano-structured carbide derived carbon （CDC） films and their tribology; predicting interdiffusion in high-temperature coatings; gallium-catalyzed silica nanowire growth; and corrosion protection properties of organofunctional silanes. Authors are from both national laboratories and academia.