My research involves chemical vapour deposition of both III-V semiconductors and various oxides (or metals). Use of the deposition process can be divided into two specific areas of interest. Firstly that of self assembly of 3D photonic materials and 1D nanowires. This includes exploration of the photonic behaviour of both bare and infilled opals, which led to the production of the first reported inverse opal syatems based on InP and GaP and that of a conducting inorganic medium (SnO2). The second area studies the formation of thin films of material on a variety of substrates to give 'added value' in the form of thermochromic, photoactive, biocidal or conducting behaviour. Materials deposited include TiO2, SnO2, Sn, VO2, Cu (oxide) and Ag. The films can be extended to include the delivery and formation of nanoparticulate powders for film incorporation.