The ZnO structure has alternating planes of tetrahedrally coordinated O^2- and Zn²⁺. Belt-like, quasi-one-dimensional nanostructures have been synthesized for semiconducting oxides of Zn, Sn, In, Cd, and Ga, by simply evaporating the desired commercial metal oxide powders at high temperatures.

Piezoelectric materials are mechanically responsive to external electric fields, and an applied voltage can be used to stretch or compress the spring. Lithography is inherently two-dimensional and not suitable for coiled springs.