Light induced nanowire assembly

The invention provides a method for assembling semiconducting nanowires, which method can include providing a mixture comprising a dielectric solvent and two or more semiconducting nanowires, wherein the semiconducting nanowires can be the same or different; exposing the mixture to an electrostatic charge under lighting conditions; and allowing macroscopic nanowire alignment to occur, wherein each nanowire is substantially oriented along the direction of the applied electric field.