Materials science and chem. are intimately linked, particularly at the nanoscale, where chem. interactions drive the assembly process. Precise control of chem. enables the emergence of a "material", critical for the bottom-up assembly of colloidal nanoparticles, surfaces, and related systems. Here we discuss emerging assembly techniques from the perspective of materials application, showcasing recent innovations at the chem./material interface. Ultimately, the produced structural and functional building blocks have application for many technol. significant materials and devices. As such, we also outline a method to assess research progress in published works, to contextualize the stage of material development in terms of broader societal impact - i.e., making nanoscale chem. matter.