Template-guided self-assembly is a versatile fabrication process that can arrange various micrometer to nanometer sized particles into lithographically created template with defined patterns.
[1][2] The "template" can be created by either photolithography or e-beam lithography to define binding sites for various building blocks.
After film development, the created pattern is treated with charged polymers in order to “stick” the particles.
One of them is to use capillary force at the edge of the aqueous droplet to “push” the particles into the binding sites.
After binding of all building blocks, the template can be removed by either dissolving in an organic solvent, or stripped off by a scotch tape.