Nanoarchitectonics in use: the method for everything in materials science and application

Abstract In recent years, "nanoarchitectonics" has emerged as a prominent strategy for constructing functional materials starting from atomic and molecular building blocks at the nanoscale. Originally conceptualized by Aono, building upon Feynman's vision of nanotechnology, this approach embodies a universal methodology that integrates organic and supramolecular chemistry with nanofabrication, microengineering, and biotechnology. The distinctive feature of nanoarchitectonics lies in its ambition to serve as a "method for everything in materials science, " akin to the "theory of everything" in physics. By orchestrating atomic and molecular manipulation, chemical transformations, self-assembly, diverse manufacturing techniques, and even biomimetic processes, nanoarchitectonics enables the rational design of materials endowed with hierarchical and asymmetric architectures from the nanoscale upward. Such intricately organized materials not only achieve high efficiency in energy and mass conversion—reminiscent of biological systems—but also harness nanoscale phenomena such as thermal fluctuations and quantum effects, capabilities that surpass those of traditional synthetic paradigms. Consequently, this innovative methodology has spurred breakthroughs across a spectrum of societal challenges, notably in energy, environment, and biomedical applications. Nanoarchitectonics distinguishes itself through its versatile design capabilities spanning macro, micro, and nano dimensions. Delicate control over molecular organization and functional group arrangement can be directly translated into emergent macroscopic functionalities. This review aims to outline the widespread adoption of the nanoarchitectonics concept across diverse research disciplines. This review surveys recent studies, focusing on those with "nanoarchitectonics" in their titles, in order to illustrate the breadth of applications—ranging from "structure and materials fabrication, " "physical property exploration, " and "device application, " to "catalysis, " "energy-related applications, " "sensing and detection, " "environmental applications, " and "bio-related challenges."