ABSTRACT
In the past decade, research efforts in nanoscience have demonstrated that atoms [Eigler and Schweizer, 1990], molecules [Heinrich et al., 2002], and clusters and nanoparticles [Kiely et al., 1998; Brust et al., 1995; Brust et al., 1994] can be used as functional building blocks for fabricating advanced and new phases of condensed matter on the nanometer length scale. The optimal size of such components depends on the particular property to be optimized: by altering the dimensions of the building blocks and controlling their surface geometry, chemistry, and assembly, it is now possible to tailor functionalities in unprecedented ways.
