nanobuilding

Nanobuilding refers to the design, fabrication, and assembly of materials and structures at nanometer scales to create functional devices and systems. It combines bottom-up self-assembly of nanoscale components with top-down nanofabrication methods, seeking to control properties through nanoscale architecture. The field covers applications across electronics, photonics, energy, and coatings, and overlaps with nanotechnology, materials science, and mechanical engineering.

Common approaches include self-assembly of nanoparticles or molecular components, DNA origami, and block copolymer assembly; top-down methods such as lithography, atomic layer deposition, and focused ion beam milling; and hybrid directed self-assembly that guides nanoscale patterns on larger substrates. Advances in surface chemistry, templating, and computational modeling enable more precise placement and organization at the nanoscale.

Materials used in nanobuilding range from inorganic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and graphene, and metal–organic frameworks to polymers and perovskites. Process techniques emphasize controlled nucleation, pattern transfer, and defect management, as well as functionalization to achieve desired interfaces and stability.

Applications include nanoscale electronics and memory devices, metamaterials and photonic structures, energy storage electrodes with high surface area, catalysis, sensors, and protective coatings with tailored properties such as hardness or corrosion resistance.

Major challenges involve scaling from laboratory demonstrations to manufacturing, achieving low defect densities at large areas, cost, and integration with conventional macroscale processes. Reliability, long-term stability, and environmental, safety, and regulatory considerations also influence the adoption of nanobuilding technologies.

Nanobuilding is an emerging area within nanotechnology and materials science. It builds on established concepts of nanofabrication and self-assembly and is characterized by a focus on architecture-driven functionality rather than solely material composition.