Abstract: An apparatus (and a method of making the apparatus) that includes a substrate (e.g. a conductive and/or non-conductive material) and a plurality of nanorods (e.g. having a diameter less than 1000 nanometers) tethered to the substrate. The nanorods may be formed by forming the substrate on a mold (e.g. an inorganic membrane having a plurality of pores) and then depositing material on the substrate inside of the mold. Since the deposited material has a relatively low interaction with the mold and a relatively high interaction with the substrate, nanorods may be formed. After the nanorods are formed inside of the mold, the nanorods remain tethered to the substrate and the mold may be removed.