Template-directed colloidal self-assembly -: the route to 'top-down' nanochemical engineering

This article gives an overview of recent progress in template-directed colloidal self-assembly. We first highlight colloidal crystallization and clustering guided by using lithographic patterns as templates. Secondly, we also outline current efforts on binary colloidal crystallization, paving a way to direct self-assembly of colloids by templating with colloidal assemblies. Finally, the use of colloidal spheres as templates to direct the self-assembly of colloids is also outlined.