Statement of the Problem: Hierarchical superstructures (HSSs) are 3-D structures with a significant improvement in some properties as compared to isolated nanoparticles. However, formation of HSSs has been conducted by intricate methods that usually involve synthesis of the building blocks and the assembly in superstructures in a second step. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: As alternative one-pot procedure, we propose the use of bicontinuous microemulsions (BCME). The channels of BCMEs have a thickness in the nanometer scale. Both water and oil channels are continuous phases, having infinite lengths. Thus, it is feasible to imagine the growth of HSS inside them, as the narrow thickness of the channels will allow the formation of nanometer building blocks, whilst their interconnection allows for the self-assembly of these nanoparticles into macroscopic 3D networks. The use of BCME for the synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials is rare, in comparison to the use of W/O and O/W ME. When BCME were used, isolated and well dispersed NPs has been obtained, mostly using ionic surfactants and water-soluble precursors. In this investigation, we used BCME based on the nonionic system water/ Synperonic 91/5 /isooctane for the synthesis of Pt, PtCo3O4, PtCoNi,  and Ag HSSs. The use of both water- and oil-soluble precursors were compared. Findings: HSSs resembling nanocorals, made by interconnected NPs or nanoneedles were obtained (Pt, PtCo, PtNi, PtCo3O4), both by chemical reduction and electrodeposition. These materials were explored as electrocatalysts. On the other hand, for Ag superstructures, it was necessary to add a stabilizer (sodium citrate) in order to form a Ag HSS, which was assessed as Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) substrate, resulting in analytical enhancement factors in the order of 109 for Rhodamine 6G.  These results demonstrate the usefulness of employing certain BCME for HSSs synthesis of, although the concept is not universal to all BCMEs.

Dielectric ceramic components were fabricated by ultraviolet laser lithography. 2D cross sections were created through dewaxing and sintering by UV laser drawing on spread resin paste including ceramic nanoparticles, and 3D composite models were sterically printed by layer laminations. As the row material of the lithography, ceramic nanoparticles from 500 nm in average diameters were dispersed in to liquid resins from 50 % in volume fraction. The resin paste was spread on a glass substrate at 50 μm in layer thickness by a mechanically moved knife edge. An ultraviolet laser beam of 355 nm in wavelength was adjusted at 10 μm in spot diameter and scanned on the pasted resin surface. Irradiation power was changed from 600 to 700 mW for enough solidification depth for 2D layer bonding. Scanning speed was changed from 50 to 100 mm/s to create fine lattice structures as shown in Figs. 1 (a), (b) and (c). The half wavelength of the incident ultraviolet ray should be comparable with the nanoparticles gaps in the resin paste, therefore the dewaxing and sintering will be realized through the electromagnetic waves resonations and localizations as shown in Fig. 1 (c). Through the layer lamination, the 3D titania structures with 97% in volume fraction were successfully fabricated. The titania crystal structure was analyzed as dual phase of anatase and rutile. After the reheating treatment at 1350 °C for 2 hs, titania components with rutile phase was obtained. The linear shrinkage through the sintering was < 1 %. The diamond lattice with four coordination number of 270 μm in periodicity could diffract electromagnetic waves of 0.25 to 0.45 THz, and exhibit forbidden gaps in transmission spectra for all spatial directions. The dielectric lattice especially is called photonic crystal.

Because of the grown demand for the energy and also grown price of materials, it is significant to present low price and energy efficient materials. This should be said that the amount of fossil fuels throughout the world is decreasing because of grown energy demand. To relate the energy demand, it is imperative to rely on the solar energy, as it is renewable energy, freely available in the world. Recently, the temperature of the earth's atmosphere is growing which can be used and then converted to beneficial energy in the shape of heating of water. One of the techniques is using a flat plate collector. One of the innovative passive methods which is used by several researchers is Nanotechnology. Different nanomaterials can be used for solar applications and among them, Aluminum oxide has attracted the attention of researchers. Utilizing twisted tapes can generate swirls and disturb boundary layers, thus this technique is the most extensively-employed one to improve convection.