A nanowire switching device and method. The device has a nanowire
structure comprising an elongated member having a cross-sectional area
ranging from about 1 nanometers but less than about 500 nanometers, but
can also be at other dimensions, which vary or are substantially constant
or any combination of these. The device also has a first terminal coupled
to a first portion of the nanowire structure; and a second terminal
coupled to a second portion of the nanowire structure. The second portion
of the nanowire structure is disposed spatially from the first portion of
the nanowire structure. An active surface structure is coupled to the
nanowire structure. The active surface structure extends from the first
portion to the second portion along the elongated member.