Layered liquids arrange nanoparticles into useful configurations: Theoretical approach for assembling nanoparticles uses an idea similar to separated vinaigrettes

Materials scientists have theorized a new 'oil-and-vinegar' approach to engineering self-assembling materials of unusual architectures made out of spherical nanoparticles. The resulting structures could prove useful to applications in optics, plasmonics, electronics and multi-stage catalysis.