  This article provides an overview, primarily from an experimental
perspective, of recent progress and future prospects in using helium to realize
a range of quantum materials of generic interest, by "top-down" and "bottom-up"
nanotechnology. We can grow model systems to realise new quantum states of
matter, and explore key issues in condensed matter physics. In the language of
cold atomic gases, two dimensional and confined 3He and 4He provide "quantum
simulators", with the potential to uncover new emergent quantum states. These
include: strictly 2D Fermi system with Mott-Hubbard transition; interacting
coupled 2D fermion-boson system; heavy fermion quantum criticality; ideal 2D
frustrated ferromagnetism; 2D quantum spin liquid; intertwined superfluid and
density wave order with emergent large symmetry; topological mesoscopic
superfluidity (new materials and emergent excitations).
