Nematic colloids are dispersions of micrometric particles in nematic liquid crystals which show unusual properties of self-assembly into regular geometrical patterns. The reason for this type of behavior is the pressure of the liquid crystal among the particles. These pressures are called structures, and are the consequence of the orientation of the liquid crystals and the deformation of the structure of the crystal near the colloid particles.
It has been known for quite a while that the nematic colloids are unifying into one dimensional chain. We also know about two dimensional structures on the border of liquid crystals and isotropic liquids. Latest research has shown progress in the understanding of the nature of self-assembly of nematic colloids; they have shown that nematic colloids can spontaneously make also regular two dimensional structures which are very tightly bounded.
With these facts a new path has been laid for the self-assembly of colloids in 3 dimensional crystals. There are also interesting possibilities in the manufacturing of materials with the self arranging of nanoparticles.