A composite, comprising: a matrix material; and a plurality of semiconductor structures embedded in the matrix material, each semiconductor structure comprising: an anisotropic nanocrystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material and having an aspect ratio between, but not including, 1.0 and 2.0; a nanocrystalline shell comprising a second, different, semiconductor material completely surrounding the anisotropic nanocrystalline core, wherein the nanocrystalline shell has a center, wherein the nanocrystalline shell extends in a first direction along a first axis and the anisotropic nanocrystalline core is disposed off-center with respect to the nanocrystalline shell in the first direction along the first axis, wherein the nanocrystalline shell extends in a second direction along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and the anisotropic nanocrystalline core is further disposed off-center with respect to the nanocrystalline shell in the second direction along the second axis, wherein the nanocrystalline shell is longer in the first direction than in the second direction, and wherein the anisotropic nanocrystalline core and the nanocrystalline shell form a quantum dot; and an insulator layer encapsulating the nanocrystalline shell and anisotropic nanocrystalline core. a matrix material; and a plurality of semiconductor structures embedded in the matrix material, each semiconductor structure comprising: an anisotropic nanocrystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material and having an aspect ratio between, but not including, 1.0 and 2.0; a nanocrystalline shell comprising a second, different, semiconductor material completely surrounding the anisotropic nanocrystalline core, wherein the nanocrystalline shell has a center, wherein the nanocrystalline shell extends in a first direction along a first axis and the anisotropic nanocrystalline core is disposed off-center with respect to the nanocrystalline shell in the first direction along the first axis, wherein the nanocrystalline shell extends in a second direction along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and the anisotropic nanocrystalline core is further disposed off-center with respect to the nanocrystalline shell in the second direction along the second axis, wherein the nanocrystalline shell is longer in the first direction than in the second direction, and wherein the anisotropic nanocrystalline core and the nanocrystalline shell form a quantum dot; and an insulator layer encapsulating the nanocrystalline shell and anisotropic nanocrystalline core. an anisotropic nanocrystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material and having an aspect ratio between, but not including, 1.0 and 2.0; a nanocrystalline shell comprising a second, different, semiconductor material completely surrounding the anisotropic nanocrystalline core, wherein the nanocrystalline shell has a center, wherein the nanocrystalline shell extends in a first direction along a first axis and the anisotropic nanocrystalline core is disposed off-center with respect to the nanocrystalline shell in the first direction along the first axis, wherein the nanocrystalline shell extends in a second direction along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and the anisotropic nanocrystalline core is further disposed off-center with respect to the nanocrystalline shell in the second direction along the second axis, wherein the nanocrystalline shell is longer in the first direction than in the second direction, and wherein the anisotropic nanocrystalline core and the nanocrystalline shell form a quantum dot; and an insulator layer encapsulating the nanocrystalline shell and anisotropic nanocrystalline core.