Core-shell nanoparticles whereby the physical properties of the core component may be combined with the chemical properties of the shell component to advantage. We have developed phase-transfer methods for the visual detection of the core-shell architecture, and for size-sorting of nanoparticles. We use a wide range of preparation methods from microwave, sonochemical, molten salts and ionic liquids, to various soft and hard templates. A biologically inspired synthesis of gold nanoaprticles with very high yield of triangular gold nanoparticles was recently accomplished
