Packings of Shape-anisotropic Particles in Quasi-1D Confinement

Anisotropic particles in quasi-1D confinement exhibit a variety of densest-packed structures, which serve as a theoretical basis for the development of novel crystalline materials. Here we review how the emergence of such optimal structures depends on the interplay between particle-shape anisotropy and geometric confinement, with particular reference to cases of identical ellipses confined within a parallel strip and of identical spheroids in cylindrical confinement. This chapter summarizes the state of the art in this emerging field and suggests possible directions for future research.