title: Nanoparticles: scaffolds and building blocks.
abstract: Nanoparticles provide key tools for bridging the gap between "bottom-up" synthetic methods and "top-down" fabrication. In this Account we describe some of the unique structural aspects of nanoparticles and the use of these attributes to the creation of devices with tunable specificity and environmental response. We also explore the use of nanoparticles as "building blocks" for the creation of nanocomposite materials that feature structural control from the molecular to the micron scale.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shenhar
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Rotello
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002384:Catalysis; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D008823:Micelles; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008670:Metals; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers