A three-dimensional (3D) comb probe structure includes a carrier, a plurality of combs arranged in the carrier and spaced apart from one another, a plurality of shanks forming the combs, each shank including a base portion and a stem portion extending from the base portion, wherein sets of the shanks are joined together by the base portions thereof to form a respective comb, and a plurality of sensing elements disposed along the stem portion of each of the shanks and electrically connected to electrical contacts disposed at respective ones of the base portions. The sensing elements can include nanopatterned features on surfaces thereof forming a non-random topography.
