1. Could you explain the significance of your article to the non-specialist? 

Materials with one or more dimensions on the nanometer scale display novel and enhanced optical, electronic and magnetic properties. In the present case we have introduced an ordered array of nanometer sized pores into a semiconductor material, i.e. cadmium telluride, by using self-assembled surfactant molecules as templating agents through which a solid film has been deposited. This creates a material with a high internal surface area in which 40% of all the atoms are located at or near a surface and can potentially give rise to improved solar cell efficiencies as it enables a more facile collection of the photogenerated carriers. 

2. What has motivated you to conduct this work? 

The motivation for the present work was the creation of a new class of engineered metamaterials which are almost entirely composed of surface atoms with the promise of enhanced optical and electronic properties. 

3. Where do you see this work developing in the future? 

As the pore diamater and the pore topology are under direct experimental control, direct liquid crystal templating affords materials which are of considerable fundamental and technological interest for understanding the fundamental physics of low-dimensionality structures and to applications in sensors, optical devices and solar cells because they are entirely composed of surface atoms

4. Are there any particular challenges facing future research in this area?

Controlling pore accessibility and pore alignment are important challenges facing future research in this area.