A method and apparatus for inhibiting the flow of a flowable adhesive material disposed adjacent to a substrate. A chip component is disposed adjacent to a substrate and a plurality of nanoparticles are disposed and cured adjacent to the substrate and proximate to the chip component. The nanoparticles possess surface properties that make them substantially immiscible with a flowable adhesive. The band of nanoparticles will inhibit the flow of a flowable adhesive material disposed between the chip and the nanoparticles, in a direction bounded by the plurality of nanoparticles, while adhesive flow in the direction of the component is promoted.