  We explore the problem of tunneling through disorderd nanowires, comprised of
a random distribution of metallic grains, by means of a many-body model that
captures the essential physics of the system. The random configuration of
grains gives rise to a smooth band-like set of states, which mediates current
flow through the nanowire. Analytical and numerical calculations show the
characteristic signature of this unusual band-like transport to be a quadratic
variation of the current as a function of the applied voltage (i.e. $I\sim
V^2$), a variation that is clearly observed in experimental studies of Pt/C
composite nanowires.
