Self-organization under nonequilibrium and open systems was reviewed using self-propelled motors of which driving force is the difference in the surface tension. If nonlinearity is introduced into the self-propelled systems, autonomy of self-propelled objects is enhanced, and characteristic features of self-organization such as pattern formation, oscillation, synchronization, and bifurcation are produced. In this review, I would like to explain the mechanism of self-organized motion in various self-propelled systems.

What comes next after nanotechnology is "nanoarchitectonics" (materials construction from nanoscale). In this review paper, in order to illustrate the high potential of nanoarchitectonics, we exemplified how a wide variety of structures can be formed from fullerene molecules (e.g. C₆₀ and C₇₀), which are zero-dimensional molecular units composed of a single element (carbon). It has been found that hierarchical structures of one-dimensional, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and hierarchical (based on various dimensional motifs) can be nanoarchitected from zero-dimensional molecules using techniques such as lab-bench procedure, liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP). In some cases, the assembly process and their sequences can be controlled by time and stimuli, inducing structural shifts of fullerene assemblies to mimic the unique biological processes of differentiation and metamorphosis that occur in cells and individual organisms. Conversely, it is also possible to use fullerene assemblies to control living cells, such as the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, on surfaces bearing fullerene assembly nanoarchitectures.

Photo-induced morphological changes in the molecular assemblies formed by surfactants enable controlled release of incorporated substances, which can be applied in delivery systems of drugs, active components. In this article, we review the photoresponsive surfactants, which have been reported by our group. An azobenzene-based cationic surfactant represented changes in critical micelle concentration, accompanied by trans-cis photoisomerization with ultraviolet or visible light irradiation. A cinnamic acid-based photocleavable surfactant showed photoinduced changes in the interfacial properties, and also represented controlled solution viscosity and dispersibility of the nanoparticles. To realize on-demand control of the interfacial properties, the response speed by photoirradiation need to be fast. Recombination of lophyl radicals, produced from amphiphilic lophine dimers (3TEG-LPD) by ultraviolet light irradiation was enhanced in the confined space of the micelles. Surface tension of an aqueous solution of 3TEG-LPD decreased in several seconds upon ultraviolet light irradiation. in situ small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) system revealed 3TEG-LPD form elliptical micelles and the long axis was readily elongated by ultraviolet light irradiation. When the light irradiation was stopped, the morphology of the micelle readily recovered to the initial form. Solubilization capacity of the amphiphilic lophine dimer for a model drug was readily controlled by photoirradiation.

When small portion of surfactant which forms thread-like micelle is added in turbulent flow, drag reduction is occurred and may provide significant savings for electric power. As for screening of the surfactant for the drag reduction, vortex inhibition and viscoelastic recoil were used. While, in oil solution, such as cyclohexane or heptane, reverse thread-like micelle by cationic gemini surfactants was stabilized by small portion of water as matrix and was succeeded in the oil gelation. The reverse thread-like oil solution also showed the vortex inhibition and viscoelastic recoil.