Multitasking in nanotechnology

Nanostructures are smart. Like phones, where making calls is now just one of a long list of handy functions, researchers are increasingly developing nanostructures that seem a 'Jack of all trades' and a master of several. In this issue researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Northeastern University describe a nanoscale sensing device that not only detects oxygen, water vapour and H2S—at levels of H2S as low as 100 ppm—but powers itself at the same time [1]. With energy high on the agenda in research and commerce the work is likely to prove a valuable contribution in nanoscale technology research, where systems are famed not just for exhibiting rare and highly functional properties, but lots of them.