Method and apparatus for aligning nanowires deposited by an electrospinning process

An apparatus for electrospinning a material on a substrate, comprising:

• a reservoir for containing a deposition material;
• a housing;
• a nozzle disposed in the housing and in fluid communication with the reservoir, the nozzle adapted to deliver the deposition material to a surface of a substrate;
• a stage;
• a substrate support disposed in the housing, coupled to the stage, and movable via the stage relative the nozzle, wherein the substrate support comprises a height and a frame having a central opening therethough;
• a counter electrode extending from the stage into the central opening of the substrate support and positioned opposite of the nozzle, a height of the counter electrode being less than the height of the substrate support, wherein the counter electrode is coupled to the voltage source and is adapted to influence the trajectory of the deposition material ejected from the nozzle;
• a voltage source coupled to the nozzle to apply an electric potential to the nozzle to eject the deposition material from the nozzle;
• and
• one or more coils disposed in the housing and positioned around a process region located between the nozzle and the substrate support, the one or more coils adapted to influence the trajectory of the deposition material ejected from the nozzle.