Nanowire and microwire fabrication technique and product

A system for growing nanowires or microwires comprising:

• a template having:
• an insulating substrate having a surface;
• a pattern of conductor in a first conductive layer positioned over the insulating substrate on the surface and having edges of peripheries of the conductors with respect to the layer exposed at desired locations of wires;
• and
• an insulating layer covering the pattern of conductor except at the edges and without overhang of the edges of the conductor by the insulating layer along a direction normal to the surface of the substrate at the edges;
• wherein the insulating layers and conductor are selected to permit physical detachment of wires grown thereon by cohesive forces without substantial damage to the insulating layers and conductor;
• and
• a transfer element providing an adhesive surface positioned for rolling contact with the template, the adhesive surface adapted to pull wires grown by electrochemical action on the template off of the template after contact with the wires.