title: Challenges and breakthroughs in recent research on self-assembly.
abstract: The controlled fabrication of nanometer-scale objects is without doubt one of the central issues in current science and technology. However, existing fabrication techniques suffer from several disadvantages including size-restrictions and a general paucity of applicable materials. Because of this, the development of alternative approaches based on supramolecular self-assembly processes is anticipated as a breakthrough methodology. This review article aims to comprehensively summarize the salient aspects of self-assembly through the introduction of the recent challenges and breakthroughs in three categories: (i) types of self-assembly in bulk media; (ii) types of components for self-assembly in bulk media; and (iii) self-assembly at interfaces.
authors.affiliation: World Premier International (WPI), Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ariga
authors.affiliation: World Premier International (WPI), Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Jonathan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: World Premier International (WPI), Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: World Premier International (WPI), Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Ajayan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vinu
authors.affiliation: World Premier International (WPI), Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Charvet
authors.affiliation: World Premier International (WPI), Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science, 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044, Japan.
authors.forename: Somobrata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Acharya
keywords: bottom–up; interfaces; nanomaterials; self-assembly; supermolecules