Nanomaterials and in particular nano-metals, represent a new class of materials, where ever-smaller length scales (<100 nm) impart altered and novel properties relative to the bulk material. Two challenges in this area are (i) control of the chemical and atomic structure of the nanometal and (ii) control of reactivity towards agglomeration and oxidation. Nanomaterials research at ZVNM focuses on both these challenges through the synthesis and assembly of new hard and soft particulate matter, approaching sizes as small as 2 nm (about 240 atoms). Whether created from self-assembly, chemical vapor deposition, solvothermal synthesis, or nanofabrication, these nanometals are poised to enable great advances in the areas of: solar cells,photonics, plasmonics,  fuel cells, optical computing, biological science, catalysis, biomass conversion, and smart materials.