A lock and key mechanism comprising a sensor detecting friction between first and second nanostructured surfaces and a controller receiving output from the sensor and comparing same to stored values. Also a method for activating or deactivating a lock comprising providing a first nanostructured surface, causing a second nanostructured surface to frictionally interact with the first nanostructured surface, sensing the interaction with a sensor, the sensor producing an output signal, and via a controller comparing the sensor output signal to a reference signal.