A universal strategy to continuously tune the properties of materials through internal strain.

We proposed a universal strategy to continuously and precisely tune the properties of materials. Atoms or molecules would be inserted into a nano tuner, which is a nano container with inwalls linked by molecular springs. Interactions between core materials and nanocontainers can be precisely and continuously tuned by changing the types and amount of molecular springs. The fact is that most properties of atoms or molecules depend on their environments. This strategy can be applied universally to numerous materials. It could raise the performances of many materials significantly, even up to their theoretical limits.