Modern integrated circuits are produced in a “top-down” approach with the aid of lithographic techniques to sequentially control the etching and deposition of materials.  Arbitrary nanoscale shapes can be created in a desired hierarchical sequence to produce a functional device.  If assembled with no control of size, shape, or sequence, the same materials produce no function and no technology.  In contrast to lithography, “bottom-up” solution processing can assemble nanoscale polymeric materials in a simple manner, often through aggregation and phase separation processes driven by multiple weak interactions and the minimization of free energy.  Unfortunately, bottom-up products are usually relatively simple and symmetrical.  [Science, 3 Aug 2012]

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