As zero-dimensional nanomaterials, quantum dots (QDs) exhibit unique optoelectronic properties due to quantum confinement effects. These excellent properties make QD devices show broad application prospects in many frontier fields, such as new energy, sensing detection, anti-counterfeiting, and biomedical fields. The controlled assembly and patterning of QDs are becoming increasingly important for the development of QD-based optoelectronic devices. This need is especially evident in emerging applications such as flexible electronics, photonic integrated chips, biosensing arrays, and advanced display technologies, where high-resolution patterning plays a key role. Due to the inherent challenges of QDs, including limited photostability, surface charge sensitivity, and thermal instability, it is important to systematically review recent advances in patterning techniques to guide practical applications. Here, this review summarizes recent advances in QD patterning techniques realized by various driving mechanisms such as light, electric fields, thermal effects, and mechanical forces, and interfacial energy. It aims to achieve controllable assembly of QDs through advanced manufacturing methods, resulting in the formation of precise QD patterns. Moreover, a detailed summary is provided for each QD patterning technique, and the limitations and distinctive advantages of different strategies are analyzed. It will provide guidance for selecting appropriate technical methods to handle colloidal QDs throughout the entire manufacturing process of patterned QD devices. Finally, future directions for QD patterning are outlined, including hybrid multi-driving-force approaches, multidimensional patterning, emerging pattern-formation mechanisms, AI-assisted process optimization, an integrated industrial ecosystem, and commercialization.

In the time of Internet of Things (IoT), alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL) has unique advantages in the fields of smart display and human–computer interaction. However, their reliance on external high-voltage AC power supplies poses challenges in terms of wearability and limits their practical application. This paper proposed an innovative scheme for preparing a feather triboelectric nanogenerator (F-TENG) using recyclable and environmentally friendly material. The highest open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, and transferred charge of SF₆-treated F-TENGs can reach 449 V, 63 μA, and 152 nC, which enables easy lighting of BaTiO₃-doped ACEL devices. Using a human electrical potential, a single-electrode F-TENG is combined with ACEL device for self-powered fingerprint recognition display. These works achieve self-powered flexible wearable ACEL devices, which are not only efficient and portable but also have good application prospects in the human–computer interaction, functional displays, and wearable electronic devices.