One embodiment includes forming a nanowire on a substrate from an organometallic vapor. The nanowire is grown during this formation in a direction away from the substrate and is freestanding during growth. The nanowire has a first dimension of 500 nanometers or less and a second dimension extending from the substrate to a free end of the nanowire at least 10 times greater than the first dimension. In one form, the organometallic vapor includes copper, silver, or gold. Alternatively or additionally, the nanowire is of a monocrystalline structure.