Patent ID: 7535081

Claim:
An aligned nanostructure, comprising: a substrate; at least one nanodimensional metal catalyst line disposed on the substrate; a sacrificial layer formed over a top surface of the at least one nanodimensional metal catalyst line and a top surface of the substrate; at least one nanodimendional trench formed in the sacrificial layer over the substrate, exposing a portion of the substrate and the at least one sidewall of the at least one nanodimensional metal catalyst line; and at least one carbon nanotube or silicon nanowire extending along the at least one sidewall of the at least one nanodimendional metal catalyst line and at least filling portions of the at least one nanodimendional trench, wherein the at least one carbon nanotube or silicon nanowire is also formed on portions of the substrate exposed by at least one nanodimendional trench.