Nano-dreadlocks

Harvard University scientists admit being distracted by the appearance of the helical nanometer-scale bristles they’ve made. ”Often we would stop the scientific discussion and argue about mythology, modern dreadlocks, alien creatures, or sculptures,” says materials scientist Joanna Aizenberg. But the self-assembling bristles are for more than just aesthetics. They could lead to better adhesives, optical components, and drug-delivery devices, say the scientists.