The design of macromolecules described as “hairy rods” proved to be most successful in the attempt to construct layered structures of optimized quality by the Langmuir—Blodgett—technique. Novel types of supramolecular architectures could be realized best described as “molecularly reinforced liquids”. First attempts to build prototype devices based on layered assemblies of these non—conventional polymers are reported. The relative orientation of the rod—like macromolecules can be changed deliberately in each layer as well as the chemical nature of the polymer such that true nanocomposites are obtained.