Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been aligned across the metal electrodes using a dc electric field. Effects of electric field strength, nanotube concentration in the suspension, and the solvents used for CNT dispersion were examined on the aligning nature of nanotubes. An improved dispersion of CNTs has been found in dimethylformamide solution compared to ethanol. CNTs mostly moved towards anode for the applied electric field indicating the negative charge of the nanotubes. Experimental results exhibit the possibilities of precise positioning of nanotubes on pre-patterned electrodes by controlling the magnitude of electric field as well as the concentration of CNT suspension. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.