Several embodiments of the present technology are directed to actively controlling a temperature of a substrate in a chamber during manufacturing of a material or thin film. In some embodiments, the method can include cooling or heating the substrate to have a temperature within a target range, depositing a material over a surface of the substrate, and controlling the temperature of the substrate while the material is being deposited. In some embodiments, controlling the temperature of the substrate can include removing thermal energy from the substrate by directing a fluid over the substrate to maintain the temperature of the substrate within a target range throughout the deposition process.