Patent ID: 8598046

Claim:
A method of synthesising nanostructures ( 20 ) using at least one solution ( 18 ) providing at least one chemical element appropriate for the type of nanostructure ( 20 ), the method comprising the steps of: a) forming nucleation growth sites ( 6 ) on a substrate ( 10 , 22 , 24 ) b) adding a reducing agent ( 19 ) to the at least one solution ( 18 ), c) bringing the suitable substrate ( 10 22 , 24 ) into contact with the at least one solution ( 19 ) before or after step a) or step b) and d) maintaining the temperature of the solution ( 18 , 19 ) at a suitable level for the growth of the nanostructures ( 20 ), characterised by the further steps of e) providing at least one space ( 2 ; 4 ) having at least one dimension in the micron range from 1 μm to 500 μm, adjacent a surface of the substrate ( 10 ), f) growing said nanostructures ( 20 ) in said at least one space ( 2 ; 4 ), and optionally g) periodically separating said nanostructures ( 20 ) from the substrate ( 10 , 22 , 24 ) and removing them.