The invention relates to a nanoparticle growing mat (30), a method of manufacturing the mat, and a method for the continuous production of organized nanotubes using the mat. The mat (30) comprising a substrate including carbon, on which is deposited in a predetermined pattern of nanosized catalytic particles whose pattern produces nanotubes in a highly ordered form. The mat (30) is activated in the presence of a carrier gas, by passing current through the mat (30) which raises the temperature to the level where, nanotubes are: formed; gathered; withdrawn as nanotube bundles (42); and collected.