Nanomanufacturing by layer-by-layer assembly - from nanoscale coating to device applications

Layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly is emerging as a key nanomanufacturing technique that is finding a broad range of applications. It is a versatile, simple, and easy to use technique, allowing the realization of novel nanometer-scale multi-layered materials and structures that can be made to have highly desirable properties, including chemical, mechanical, electrical, magnetic, thermal, and optical. The present paper discusses the LbL assembly technique and its applications, including for nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) (in combination with microfabrication), for biocompatible coating, for nanoengineered capsules, for pulp microfibre nanocoating to obtain better paper, and for polymer-based electronic devices.