Inorganic nanocrystal gels retain distinct properties of individual nanocrystals while offering tunable, network structure-dependent characteristics. We review different mechanisms for assembling gels from colloidal nanocrystals including (1) controlled destabilization, (2) direct bridging, (3) depletion, as well as linking mediated by (4) coordination bonding or (5) dynamic covalent bonding, and we highlight how each impacts gel properties. These approaches use nanocrystal surface chemistry or the addition of small molecules to mediate inter-nanocrystal attractions. Each method offers advantages in terms of gel stability, reversibility, or tunability and presents new opportunities for design of reconfigurable materials and fueled assemblies.This work was primarily supported by the National Science Foundation through the Center
for Dynamics and Control of Materials: an NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering
Center (NSF MRSEC) under Cooperative Agreement DMR-1720595. This work was also
supported by the Welch Foundation (F-1848 and F-1696). E.V.A. acknowledges support
from the Welch Regents Chair (F-0046).Center for Dynamics and Control of Material
