A self-assembly of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) structures oriented normal to the substrate was achieved by electrophoretic deposition. SWNT ropes were anodically deposited from an n,n-dimethylformamide dispersion onto an aluminum substrate precoated with tin oxide/hydroxide. The resulting SWNT structures are 200-500 nm diameter, 5-10 mu m long, with a few protruding individual SWNT ropes. Heat-treatment increased the conductivity of the precoat, making this deposition system suitable for field emission applications. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.