Versatile process for precision nanoscale manufacturing

A method for depositing thin films, the method comprising:

• depositing drops of a liquid solidifiable composition using a jetting system in a prescribed manner on a substrate, wherein said liquid solidifiable composition does not substantially penetrate a previously solidified composition;
• and
• closing a gap between said substrate and a superstrate in a manner that merges said drops to form a contiguous film captured between said substrate and said superstrate, wherein said superstrate is locally smooth and possesses optimal bending rigidity;
• wherein said bending rigidity is in an optimal range defined by it being higher than a minimum required to create a robust merging of said drops, while lower than a maximum required to ensure that said contiguous film does not equilibrate too quickly thereby providing an ability to capture pre-equilibrium transients.

A method for patterning on non-planar substrates, the method comprising:

• applying a multiplicity of discrete portions of a fluid composition onto a surface of a non-planar substrate;
• closing a gap between a patterned template and said substrate leading to a fluid layer that is substantially free of bubbles;
• solidifying said fluid layer;
• and
• separating said patterned template from said substrate to leave behind a pattern on said non-planar substrate.