Quasi one-dimensional nanowires possess unique electrical, electronic, thermoelectrical, optical, magnetic and chemical properties, which are different from that of their parent counterpart. The physical properties of nanowires are influenced by the morphology of the nanowires, diameter dependent band gap, carrier density of states etc. Nanowires hold lot of promises for different applications. Basic electronic devices like junction diodes, transistors, FETs and logic gates can be fabricated by using semiconductor and superlattice nanowires. Thermoelectric cooling system can be fabricated by using metallic nanowires. Semiconductor nanowire junctions can be used for different opto-electronic applications. Moreover, periodic arrays of magnetic nanowires hold high potential for recording media application. Nanowires are also potential candidates for sensor and bio-medical applications.In the present article, the physical and chemical properties of nanowires along with their probable applications in different fields have been reviewed in detail. The review also includes highlights of the synthesis of nanowires via porous anodic aluminium oxide template since the technique is simple, cost-effective and a low temperature technique.

By correlating the experimental evidence obtained from atomic force microscopy, conventional x-ray diffraction, and a surface sensitive modified x-ray diffraction technique with the results of density functional theory based computations, we demonstrate that self-organized nanostripe patterns formed on the electropolished surface of aluminium originate as a consequence of relaxation and reconstruction of the new surfaces exposed and textural changes at the surface caused by the dissolution during polishing.

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The solvent extraction of uranium has been carried out with chloroform solutions of N-phenylbenzohydroxamic acid (BPHA) and Trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO). The experiments were statistically planned to quantitatively assess the effect of the concentration of BPHA, the concentration of TOPO and the aqueous-phase pH of the solution on the percentage extraction of uranium. In addition, the interactional influence of the above-mentioned variables was also studied. A regression equation has been developed which successfully predicts the percentage extraction of uranium with the values of the variables lying between the selected range of experiments.