The invention provides method for metallic nanonstructures self-assembly methods and materials testing. Preferred embodiment methods permit for the formation of individual nanonstructures and arrays of nanostructrues. The nanostructures formed can have a metal alloy crystal structure. Example structures include slender wires, rectangular bars, or plate-like structures. Tips can be shaped, single layer and multiple layer coatings can be formed, tips can be functionalized, molecules can be adhered, and many testing methods are enabled.