Supramolecular gel chemistry: developments over the last decade

Abstract

This highlight gives a brief flavour of the development of gels derived from low molecular weight gelators broadly in the first decade of the 2000's. A particular theme is the emergence of switchable gels and increasing hi-tech niche application areas. Control and exploitation of supramolecular gels forms a huge part of the grand challenge of directed assembly of extended structures with targeted properties.