Serendipity is a common thread running through many extraordinary discoveries in the history of chemistry. This image of ‘molecular jellyfish’ is no exception. ’It is completely useless, but incredibly beautiful.’

Tieze van den Elsen, who is currently finishing his Master’s internship at Radboud University, makes polymers in the molecular nanotechnology group of Roeland Nolte and Hans Elemans. Specifically, he is working with helical polyisocyanides. We try to control this helix shape, i.e. whether it turns to the right or to the left, with the molecular motors of the Feringa group,’ says Hans Elemans, associate professor and Van den Elsen’s supervisor. Van den Elsen started his internship in November and produced his first polymer in December.