The present invention generally relates to nanoscale wires and, in particular, to probes comprising nanoscale wires for use in determining electrical and/or chemical properties in a tissue or other material. For example, in certain embodiments, a probe comprising nanoscale wires may be inserted into an electrically-active tissue, such as the heart or the brain, and the nanoscale wires may be used to determine electrical properties of the tissue, e.g., action potentials or other electrical activity. In addition, in some embodiments, a nanoscale wire may be modified to determine chemical properties of a tissue. A probe comprising such nanoscale wires can be inserted into a tissue (not necessarily electrically active) to determine various properties, e.g., chemical or mechanical properties. In addition, in some embodiments, a probe is provided that can be used to stimulate tissues, e.g., by providing electrical stimuli via one or more nanoscale wires. Still other embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods of making, using, or promoting such probes, kits involving such probes, and the like.
