  We report fabrication of highly flexible micron-sized helices from
nanometer-thick ribbons. Building upon the helical coiling of such ultra-thin
ribbons mediated by surface tension, we demonstrate that the enhanced creep
properties of highly confined materials can be leveraged to shape helices into
the desired geometry with full control of the final shape. The helical radius,
total length and pitch angle are all freely and independently tunable within a
wide range: radius within $\sim$ 1-100 micrometer, length within $\sim$
100-3000 micrometer, and pitch angle within $\sim$ 0-70{\deg}. This fabrication
method is validated for three different materials: poly(methyl methacrylate),
poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), and transition metal chalcogenide
quantum dots, each corresponding to a different solid-phase structure:
respectively a polymer glass, a crosslinked hydrogel, and a nanoparticle array.
This demonstrates excellent versatility with respect to material selection,
enabling further control of the helix mechanical properties.

Soft Condensed Matter