Embodiments described herein include an antimicrobial substrate surface. An example embodiment includes a structure that includes an antimicrobial surface on a substrate. The antimicrobial surface includes a plurality of nanostructures. Each nanostructure includes a nanopillar on the substrate. The nanopillar has a height. Each nanostructure also includes a head covering a distal end and at least part of the height of the nanopillar.
