The self-assembly of (macro)molecules using various methods (bulk, solution, surface and so on) is a powerful tool for producing functional materials with unique nanoto macroscale structures. Self-assembly can generally be achieved by a low-energy bottom–up process under ambient conditions without any special laboratory equipment. Selfassembled (macro)molecules can show unexpected new properties that are significantly different from the original properties of the individual (macro)molecules. In fact, biological systems effectively utilize (macro)molecular selfassembly in aqueous phases to hierarchically produce complicated structures that are essential for realizing sophisticated biological functions. Even in polymer science for materials development, the concept of self-assembly is being further studied and developed every day. To introduce the latest developments in self-assembled structures and materials with new functions, we organized a hybrid team composed of the Editor-in-Chief, an associate editor, and guest editors to cover a wide range of topics in this special issue. Since 2012, Polymer Journal has published 8 special issues about pertinent topics in polymer science and related fields [1–8]. In particular, Polymer Journal is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and published a commemorative issue this January [8]. Following the great successes of previous special issues, we collected 7 Original Articles, 1 Note, 15 Focus Reviews, and 3 Reviews from outstanding researchers from Asia, the United States, and Europe for this issue. These papers will undoubtedly be fascinating and stimulating to the diverse readers of Polymer Journal. We therefore believe that this special collection will contribute to further advances in the self-assembly of polymers. We sincerely appreciate all authors and referees for their contribution to this special issue.

中文翻译：

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特刊：用于访问新功能的自组装结构和材料

使用各种方法（本体、溶液、表面等）自组装（宏观）分子是生产具有独特纳米到宏观结构的功能材料的有力工具。自组装通常可以在环境条件下通过低能量自下而上的过程实现，无需任何特殊的实验室设备。自组装（大）分子可以显示出意想不到的新特性，这些特性与单个（大）分子的原始特性显着不同。事实上，生物系统有效地利用水相中的（大）分子自组装来分层产生复杂的结构，这些结构对于实现复杂的生物功能至关重要。即使在用于材料开发的聚合物科学中，自组装的概念也每天都在进一步研究和发展。为了介绍具有新功能的自组装结构和材料的最新进展，我们组织了一个由主编、副主编和客座编辑组成的混合团队，在本期特刊中涵盖了广泛的主题。自 2012 年以来，Polymer Journal 已出版了 8 期关于聚合物科学及相关领域相关主题的专刊 [1-8]。特别是，Polymer Journal 今年迎来了 50 周年纪念，并于今年 1 月出版了纪念刊 [8]。继往届特刊取得巨大成功后，本期我们收集了来自亚洲、美国和欧洲的优秀研究人员的7篇原创文章、1篇笔记、15篇焦点评论和3篇评论。这些论文对于 Polymer Journal 的不同读者来说无疑是引人入胜和令人振奋的。因此，我们相信这个特别的系列将有助于聚合物自组装的进一步发展。我们衷心感谢所有作者和审稿人为本期特刊做出的贡献。