Preview: Small 12/2007

The cover picture shows the sequence of events in the hierarchical selforganization of micrometer-sized flower-shaped objects, starting with a fullerene derivative bearing three aliphatic chains.At the molecular length scale the precursors assemble through anisometric p-p and van der Waals interactions into interdigitated bilayers, which in turn grow into micrometer-sized flat disks.Subsequently, at the macroscopic level, the disks roll up and crumple, forming various intermediate structures, which finally transform into morphologically alike flower-shaped objects.This example demonstrates the level of control that can be imposed on molecules in order to direct the morphogenesis from simple supramolecular entities to complex macroscopic objects.For more information, please read the Communication "Flower-Shaped Supramolecular Assemblies: Hierarchical Organization of a Fullerene Bearing Long Aliphatic Chains" by T. Nakanishi and co-workers in Issue 12 of Small.