Engineering nanostructures at surfaces using nanolithography

In just a few years, exploring nanostructured materials has become a new theme common to many disciplines of science and engineering. Recent surge of interest in these nanostructured systems stems from the remarkable effects that may arise from the critical size reduction. Structured materials on the nanometre scale can lead to improved and sometimes novel properties with emerging applications ranging from novel highly functional devices to advanced chemical and biological sensors. Significant advances made in nanomaterials research, together with improved lithographic fabrication strategies have led to dramatic enhancements in the creation of complex and well-defined nanostructures on surfaces. This article reviews the status of research and development in nanostructured materials, with particular focus on the recent advances on nanolithographic techniques. Finally, perspectives and future challenges in this emerging field of research are also discussed.