Abstract: A resonant tunneling diode, and other one dimensional electronic, photonic structures, and electromechanical MEMS devices, are formed as a heterostructure in a nanowhisker by forming length segments of the whisker with different materials having different band gaps. Thus a resonant tunneling diode comprises a nanowhisker having a seed particle melt at one end, and a column of a constant diameter with a nanometer dimension, such as to exhibit quantum confinement effects, the column comprising first and second semiconductor portions comprising respectively an emitter and a collector, and, disposed between the first and second semiconductor portions, third and fourth portions of material having a different band gap from that of the first and second semiconductor portions, and a fifth central portion of a semiconductor material having a different band gap from that of the third and fourth portions, disposed between the third and fourth portions and forming a quantum well.

Abstract: A fast method of creating nanostructures comprising the steps of forming one or more electrically-charged regions (5) of predetermined shape on a surface (1) of a first material, by contacting the regions with a stamp for transferring electric charge, and providing electrically charged nanoparticles (7) of a second material, and permitting the particles to flow in the vicinity of the regions, to be deposited on the regions.