Hybrid fibers, devices using hybrid fibers, and methods for making hybrid fibers

A method for preparing a hybrid fiber, comprising

• (a) inserting a tip into a surface of a suspension comprising
• (i) a plurality of nanowires, each nanowire having a length, a width, and a thickness, the length being at least 10 times the width and at least 10 times the thickness;
• (ii) a plurality of binder elements, each binder element having a length, a width, and a thickness, each substantially smaller than the average length of the nanowires and at least one of which is less than about 10 nm in dimension, wherein the binder elements are formed from a material that is electrically conductive;
• and
• (iii) a solvent;
• wherein the suspension is contained within one or more electrodes;
• and
• (b) drawing the tip from the surface of the suspension, thereby pulling the hybrid fiber from the suspension;
• wherein the tip is electrically conductive, and wherein an electric potential is provided between the tip and the one or more electrodes during the drawing.