Abstract
Nanostructured thin films are emerging into a diversified class of materials with unique optical, chemical, and physical capabilities as a result of their nanoscale characteristics. This paper provides a complete review of the manufacturing, characterization, and applications of nanostructured thin films in a range of industries such as photonics, electronics, energy storage, and medicine. The relationship between nanostructure morphology and material performance is discussed, as well as the most recent advances in fabrication technologies such as physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, and solution-based methods.