An arrangement of individually addressable nanostructures (200) in an array format on a substrate (100) (non-conducting, flexible or rigid) with electrical portions (conducing) in the substrate where the electrical portions form electrical contacts with the nanostructures is utilized to form individually addressable nanostructures. The said nanostructures can be 1-1 000 000 nm in base size and range from 1-1000 000 nm in height. The distance between the said nanostructures in the array can also range from 10-1 000 000 nm. The said nanostructures are covered in a dielectric material (300) (air, polymer, ceramic) that is at least 5-5 00 000 nm thicker than the height of the said nanostructures. The dielectric properties of the dielectric material are an important component in determining the capacitance/supercapacitance properties of the fingerprint device. A top electrode (400) is placed on the face of dielectric film opposite to the face in contact with the substrate where nanostructures are arranged. A top layer (500) (glass or Other robust material) is placed on top of the top metal electrode. A voltage V (900) is applied between the nanostructures (200) and the top electrodes (400), an intense electric field (600) is generated between the nanostructures (200) and the top electrode (400). The direction of the said electrical field is dependent on the polarity of the voltage applied. The electric capacitance (700) between the nanostructures and the top electrode as formed. When a finger (1000) is placed on the device, the ridges (1001) of the fingerprints make contact with the top layer (500) of the device causing a signal, (a change in the capacitance of the device) that can be detected using external circuits. The valleys (1002) of the finger do not make contact with the top layer (500) device and hence do not produce a signal. If a pressure is applied on the top layer (500), the distance between the top electrode (400) and the nanostructures (200) is reduced, causing a change in the capacitance, allowing measurement of pressure. Since the nanostructures (200) are distributed on a surface (2000) in sections (2010) we can obtain special resolution of pressure on a surface or gather fingerprints using a cost effective, low power, robust and stand-alone portable, miniature system.