A system and method is provided for depositing nanosensors including directing a plasma stream onto a low energy substrate having a surface energy of from 10 mN/m to 43 mN/m to increase the surface energy of the substrate to from 44 mN/m to 80 mN/m, applying an adhesive layer to the plasma discharge treated substrate; and depositing nanosensors on the adhesive coated substrate of step (b) via electrostatic force assisted deposition using a high strength electrostatic field of from 2 kV/cm to 10 kV/cm to form vertically standing nanosensors.