Concluding Remarks: Anisotropy: the good, the “bad” and …

Abstract

The 191st Faraday Discussion meeting on “Nanoparticles with Morphological and Functional Anisotropy” offers a broad range of new insights into an interdisciplinary research field converged at the forefronts of chemistry, colloid science, and materials science. It was held on the campus of University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. Across the street of the meeting place, one could see a large portrait of Thomas Graham, the father of physical chemistry who coined the term of “colloid” in the 19th century, painted on the outside wall of a tall building. Without any doubt, he would also have enjoyed listening to the fascinating progress in a research field pioneered by him. The discussion was organized into four sessions, with each session covering a specific theme: (i) Janus and patchy nanoparticles; (ii) anisotropic nanoparticles; (iii) particles at interfaces; and (iv) applications. The meeting was further enriched by the presentation of 79 posters. Instead of giving a summary of what was presented at the meeting, I would like to take this opportunity to provide some personal perspectives, in conjunction with the insights offered by various authors.