Self-assembly is a process in which components, either separate or linked, spontaneously form ordered aggregates. It can occur with components ranging from molecular to macroscopic sizes, provided appropriate conditions are met. While much research has focused on molecular self-assembly, larger systems (nanometers to micrometers) offer greater control over component characteristics and interactions, making them valuable for fundamental studies. Molecular self-assembly is common in chemistry, materials science, and biology, with examples including molecular crystals, colloids, lipid bilayers, and self-assembled monolayers. It is also crucial in biological processes like protein folding and nucleic acid folding. Self-assembly is scientifically and technologically significant for four reasons: its role in life processes, its ability to generate ordered materials, its occurrence in larger systems, and its potential for nanostructure generation. It is important in various fields, including chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, nanoscience, and manufacturing. Self-assembly is not limited to molecules; components of any size can self-assemble in permissive environments. The focus on self-assembly has been largely on molecules due to the molecular scale of chemistry, but expanding into larger scales is becoming increasingly relevant. The principles of molecular self-assembly involve components, interactions, reversibility, environment, and mass transport. Nonmolecular self-assembly offers flexibility in design and is useful for applications in materials science and engineering. It can generate ordered states of matter and is promising for nanoscience and nanotechnology. Self-assembly can also be used for three-dimensional microstructure fabrication and may aid in manufacturing processes. Designing self-assembling systems involves analogies with molecular systems. Capillary interactions are useful for macroscopic components, and studies have shown that new systems can be designed. Defects, asymmetry, and templating are important considerations in self-assembly. Biological strategies can provide insights into self-assembly, but not all strategies are applicable to nonbiological systems. The challenge in self-assembly is fabricating the right components, as self-assembly is a strategy for generating ordered aggregates. Self-assembly has the potential to provide a new form of molecular synthesis, especially for complex structures. It is important for fabricating functional structures and understanding life processes. Self-assembly is a promising strategy for creating useful structures and is an area of active research.Self-assembly is a process in which components, either separate or linked, spontaneously form ordered aggregates. It can occur with components ranging from molecular to macroscopic sizes, provided appropriate conditions are met. While much research has focused on molecular self-assembly, larger systems (nanometers to micrometers) offer greater control over component characteristics and interactions, making them valuable for fundamental studies. Molecular self-assembly is common in chemistry, materials science, and biology, with examples including molecular crystals, colloids, lipid bilayers, and self-assembled monolayers. It is also crucial in biological processes like protein folding and nucleic acid folding. Self-assembly is scientifically and technologically significant for four reasons: its role in life processes, its ability to generate ordered materials, its occurrence in larger systems, and its potential for nanostructure generation. It is important in various fields, including chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, nanoscience, and manufacturing. Self-assembly is not limited to molecules; components of any size can self-assemble in permissive environments. The focus on self-assembly has been largely on molecules due to the molecular scale of chemistry, but expanding into larger scales is becoming increasingly relevant. The principles of molecular self-assembly involve components, interactions, reversibility, environment, and mass transport. Nonmolecular self-assembly offers flexibility in design and is useful for applications in materials science and engineering. It can generate ordered states of matter and is promising for nanoscience and nanotechnology. Self-assembly can also be used for three-dimensional microstructure fabrication and may aid in manufacturing processes. Designing self-assembling systems involves analogies with molecular systems. Capillary interactions are useful for macroscopic components, and studies have shown that new systems can be designed. Defects, asymmetry, and templating are important considerations in self-assembly. Biological strategies can provide insights into self-assembly, but not all strategies are applicable to nonbiological systems. The challenge in self-assembly is fabricating the right components, as self-assembly is a strategy for generating ordered aggregates. Self-assembly has the potential to provide a new form of molecular synthesis, especially for complex structures. It is important for fabricating functional structures and understanding life processes. Self-assembly is a promising strategy for creating useful structures and is an area of active research.