Nanowires are incredibly thin structures with diameter usually ranging from 30 to 60 nanometers or less.
In contrast, human hair is usually between 60 and 120 micrometers wide one micrometer being 1,000 nanometers.
The plastic is has several vertical pores in its structure stretching from the copper substrate to the surface.
The pores are made by bombarding the plastic with high energy particles that rip holes through the layer.
The substrate and plastic layer in then placed in an electroplating solution and a current is passed through it.
The electroplating metal will be deposited in the pores, creating nanowires.
When the wires have grown to the surface of the plastic layer, the current is switched off.
Finally, the plastic is dissolved leaving the metal nanowires.
But what happens if you let the wires grow beyond the plastic surface?
The metals spontaneously built up fantastically complex forms that resemble ferns coral, branches and leaves.
“Feathers” of lead and indium.
