Breaking the symmetry - Assembly and applications of anisotropic and Janus structures

In this mini-review, assembly of anisotropic and Janus particles are described together with their diversified applications. Various classes of anisotropic and Janus particles are considered: liposomes and vesicles, polymeric capsules and particles, whose modification can be divided into: a) self-assembly, b) self-organization, wherein self-assembly is accompanied by means of externally applied fields, and c) modification by means of externally applied sources. Self-propulsion and self-motion are some of the most notable examples of the use of such structures, whereas a number of applications in biomedicine, surface cleaning, switches are also described.