Abstract: A method to assemble functional materials, such as nanomaterials, onto a polymer surface to create a corresponding functionalized surface involves creating a solution of the functional material, providing a sacrificial substrate, disposing the functional solution onto a surface of the substrate and then covering the substrate with a liquid polymer. The sacrificial substrate is then dissolved, leaving behind a functional surface embedded within the cured polymer. One specific aspect of the invention relates to the embedding of functionalized carbon nanotubes onto a polymer surface for creating a nano-engineered surface. Devices employing functional surfaces are disclosed that are suitable for the immobilization of enzymes, DNA, peptides, proteins, cells, catalyst, and/or other chemicals or molecules for chemical, biochemical, or biological analysis, reactions, filtration.