Book excerpt: Advances in nanoscale materials processing are taking place at a rapid pace via myriad paths, including lithography, production of nanoparticle assemblies, surface manipulation and many others. Several of the techniques create structures that are three-dimensional or quasi three-dimensional. Even smaller structures intended to be two-dimensional have a 'more' three-dimensional geometry as their two-dimensional feature size and layer thickness become similar. The properties of these denser assemblies are driving different applications in electronics (single-electron devices), optics (photonic crystals and switches) and elsewhere. This 2003 book provides a venue for a productive scientific and technical exchange. The result is a compilation of papers which address fundamental studies, technological advances and novel approaches to developing and processing three-dimensional nanoscale assemblies. Topics include: nanofabrication via lithographic techniques; unconventional fabrication methods of nano-structures; physics, chemistry and modeling of nanostructures; fabrication and properties of 1D nanostructures; fabrication and properties of 3D nanostructures; applications of nanostructures and devices.