The present invention comprises a novel process for the preparation of carbon based structured materials with controlled topology, morphology and functionality. The nanostructured materials are prepared by controlled carbonization, or pyrolysis, of precursors comprising phase separated copolymers. The precursor materials are selected to phase separate and self organize in bulk, in solution, in the presence of phase selective solvents, at surfaces, interfaces or during fabrication, into articles, fibers or films exhibiting well-defined, self-organized morphology or precursors of well-defined, self-organized, bi- or tri-phasic morphology. Compositional control over the (co)polymers provides control over the structure of the phase separated precursor whose organization therein dictates the nanostructure of the material obtained after carbonization or pyrolysis, wherein each dimension of the formed structure can be predetermined. When the precursor morphology is selected to comprise cylindrical domains this procedure additionally allows for the direct formation of two dimensional nanowire grids or arrays of oriented nanostructures on surfaces. When these nanowire grids or arrays are perpendicularly oriented to the surface applications include field emitters, high surface area electrodes, electronic devices such as diodes and transistors, tools for AMF tips and elements of molecular electronics. When the first nanostructured morphology is selected to form cylinders parallel to the surface then nanowire arrays are formed after pyrolysis. When the composition of the first nanostructured morphology is selected to comprise a continuous precursor matrix then a continuous carbon based nanostructured material is formed. The internal structure of the carbon based material can be selected to comprise perpendicular pores or an interconnected array of pores. The carbon based structures can additionally find application in photovoltaics, supercapacitors, batteries, fuel cells, computer memory, carbon electrodes, carbon foams, actuators and hydrogen storage.