A method and apparatus for maintaining a free-standing region of a film including a network of High Aspect Ratio Molecular structures (HARM-structures). The method includes electrically coupling the film to two or more electrodes at two or more peripheral locations of the film and passing electric charge across the free-standing region of the film to create a magnetic attraction between the HARM-structures in the network.

A support substrate (1) for nanostructures (2), in particular for carbon nanotubes, is provided, the support substrate (1) comprising a plurality of cantilever pairs (13) which are each adapted to hold a nanostructure (13) between them. At least some of the plurality of cantilever pairs (13) are arranged such along at least a curved or angular part of the circumference (11) of the support substrate (1) that they extend in different, non-parallel directions. Furthermore, an apparatus (4) for attaching nanostructures (2) to a device substrate (3) by means of such a support substrate (1) is provided as well as method for attaching nanostructures (2) to a device substrate (3) by means of such a support substrate (1).