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Interest in layered two dimensional materials, particularly stacked heterostructures of transition metal dichalcogenides, has led to the need for a better understanding of the structural and electronic changes induced by stacking. Here, we investigate the effects of idealized heterostructuring, with periodic commensurate stacking, on the structural, electronic, and vibrational properties, when compared to the counterpart bulk transition metal dichalcogenide. We find that in heterostructures with dissimilar chalcogen species there is a strong compression of the inter-layer spacing, compared to the bulk compounds. This compression of the heterostructure is caused by an increase in the strength of the induced polarization interaction between the layers, but not a full charge transfer. We argue that this effect is real, not due to the imposed commensurability, and should be observable in heterostructures combining different chalcogens. Interestingly, we find that incommensurate stacking of Ti-based dichalcogenides leads to the stabilization of the charge density wave phonon mode, which is unstable in the 1T phase at low temperature. Mixed Ti- and Zr-heterostructures are still unstable, but with a charge density wave or a ferroelectric instability., Comment: 10 pages, 3 tables, 4 figures

In the study of microscopic flows, self-propulsion has been particularly topical in recent years, with the rise of miniature artificial swimmers as a new tool for flow control, low Reynolds number mixing, micromanipulation or even drug delivery. It is possible to take advantage of interfacial physics to propel these micro-robots, as demonstrated by recent experiments using the proximity of an interface, or the interface itself, to generate propulsion at low Reynolds number. This paper discusses how a nearby interface can provide the symmetry breaking necessary for propulsion. An overview of recent experiments illustrates how forces at the interface can be used to generate locomotion. This paper then presents original results concerning two systems. The first is composed of floating ferromagnetic spheres that assemble through capillarity into swimming structures. The second system, also powered by a magnetic field, is a centimeter-sized piece that swims similarly to water striders., Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures