Invited: Packing and Assembly of Particles: Nanowires and Beyond

Particle shape affects their packing and assembly into larger scale structures. Recent breakthroughs in the modeling, simulation and theory of patchy particles - including both entropic and enthalpic patchiness - allows for the a priori design and synthesis of particles optimized for target geometries, including those with highly anisotropic, chiral, or hierarchical features.  We discuss recent progress, new understanding, and future trends.