Nanowire

**Semantic type:** Classification

**Definition:** A nanometer-scale wire consisting of metal atoms, silicon or other materials that conduct electricity. Nanowires are one-dimensional, and exhibit unique electrical and optical properties. They are built atom by atom on a solid surface, often as part of a microfluidic device. In addition, they can be coated with molecules such as antibodies that will bind to proteins for both basic science and clinical applications.