Superconductivity and magnetism at intermediate (“mesoscopic”) length scales between atomic and bulk have a long history of interesting science. New science emerges due to the presence of multiple length scales, especially when these become comparable to relevant geometric sizes. New phenomena may appear due to topological interactions, geometric confinement, proximity between dissimilar materials, dimensional crossover, and collective effects induced by periodicity. In this review, we select a few, recent highlights that illustrate the type of novel science that can be accomplished in superconducting and magnetic structures. These materials can serve as model systems and provide new ideas, which can be extended to other systems such as ferroelectrics and multiferroics. We also highlight general open questions and new directions in which the field may move.

Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells with improved efficiency using thermal annealing-induced nanostructured copper phthalocyanine as a donor layer were fabricated. A power conversion efficiency of 1.47% in the OPV cell with interdigitated CuPc/C60 bulk heterojunction has been obtained under AM 1.5 solar illumination at an intensity of 100 mW/cm2, which is higher than 0.63% of CuPc/C60 planar cell. Through varying the annealing temperature of CuPc films, the influence of interface morphology and crystallinity of CuPc films on the performance of OPV cells was systematically studied. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and spectrophotometry were used to characterize the CuPc films. The results showed that at an optimal annealing temperature, the crystalline nature and vertical orientation of nanostructured CuPc have been modified, which can facilitate the separation of interfacial electron-hole pairs and charge carrier transport to electrodes.

PLATO is a fully-robotic observatory designed for operation in Antarctica. It generates its own electricity (about 1 kW), heat (sufficient to keep two 10-foot shipping containers comfortably above 0°C when the outside temperature is at -70°C), and connects to the internet using the Iridium satellite system (providing ~30 MB/day of data transfer). Following a successful first year of operation at Dome A during 2008, PLATO was upgraded with new instruments for 2009.

In January 2005, members of a Chinese expedition team were the first humans to visit Dome A on the Antarctic plateau, a site predicted to be one of the very best astronomical sites on earth.
In 2006, the Chinese Center for Antarctic Astronomy (CCAA) was founded to promote the development of astronomy in Antarctica, especially at Dome A. CCAA has since taken part in two traverses to Dome A, organized by the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC), in the austral summers of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009. These traverses resulted in the installation of many site-testing and science instruments, supported by the PLATO observatory. The Chinese Small Telescope ARray (CSTAR) has produced excellent results from Dome A.
Our future plans include further site-testing work, and the following full-scale science instruments: three 0.5-m Antarctic Schmidt Telescopes (AST3), and a proposed 4-m telescope for wide-field infrared high spatial-resolution surveys. The first AST3 telescope is under construction and is scheduled for installation in 2011.

The THz spectral region includes a number of important transitions which allow us to trace the evolution of the interstellar medium. Because of the opacity of the atmosphere in this spectral range, the best sites for ground-based THz observations are on the Antarctic Plateau; of these sites, Dome A is expected to be the best. THz survey science can be carried out with small telescopes, easing logistical constraints. By deploying a submillimetre-wave tipper/ telescope to Dome A, we have trialled several technologies for such an instrument, and we are able to test whether the site quality is sufficient for THz surveys.

Dome A, the summit of the Antarctic plateau, is expected to have even better atmospheric conditions for ground-based astronomy than Dome C.Instruments to evaluate and exploit Dome A's astronomical potentialmust operate within logistical constraints, which are currentlyvery stringent. Instrumentation now at Dome A exemplifies the techniques and solutions required by this environment. Future instrumentation and infrastructure will allow the qualities of the siteto be exploited much more fully.

The crystallization of bulk Zr48Nb8Cu14Ni12Be18metallic glass has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction. The activation energies of glass transition and crystallization for the glass obtained using Kissinger analysis from the shift of the peak temperature in the DSC curve are 470 and 235 kJ/mol, respectively. The effect of applied pressure on crystallization is studied by in situ high-pressure and high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction using synchrotron radiation. It is found that the crystallization temperature increases with pressure having a slope of 9.5 K/GPa in the range of 0-4.4 GPa.

Ceramic rods of Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (2212) were directionally solidified by laser‐heated float‐zone crystal growth [1]. The microstructure of the resulting material can be controlled through variation of growth rate. The 2212 phase is Sr‐deficient, having an actual composition Bi2.5Sr2CaCu2.2Oy. At slow growth rates (0.2 cm/h), plane front growth produced highly textured samples of almost phase pure 2212, and pole figures show that the solidification front proceeds along the (200) axis of the 2212 grains. Faster growth rates produced dendritic growth and polyphase microstructures. At the fastest growth rate studied (16 cm/h), no 2212 phase was observed. Observations indicate that Bi2.5Sr2CaCu2.2Oy melts peritectically into (Sr1‐x.Cax.)14Cu24Oy and a Bi‐rich liquid.