The University of Illinois researchers said the copper nanowires could serve as interconnects in electronic device fabrication and as electron emitters in a television-like, very thin flat-panel display known as a field-emission display.

"We can grow forests of freestanding copper nanowires of controlled diameter and length, suitable for integration into electronic devices," said Professor Kyekyoon Kim, who led the study.

"The copper nanowires are grown on a variety of surfaces, including glass, metal and plastic by chemical vapor deposition from a precursor," added nanotechnology research Professor Hyungsoo Choi. "The patented growth process is compatible with contemporary silicon-processing protocols."

The researchers describe the nanowires, the growth process, and a proof-of-principle field-emission display in a paper accepted for publication in the journal Advanced Materials, and now available at the journal's Web site.