Our research of the Institute focuses on the attractive area of pure and applied nanoscience, where we combine an interdisciplinary composition (physics, chemistry, biology, ...), excellent basic equipment and open access for industrial partners.
Our research activities are based on three pillars which will allow us to not only perform a rigorous fundamental research program, but also develop the socio-politically important role of a think tank and research center for innovative small-medium size enterprises (SME) and national and international companies and public bodies:
- Fundamental science (financed by national and international funding agencies such as research councils, EU, other foundations)
- long-term applied research (publishable research at the interface between basic research and product-oriented development, financed by industry or jointly with the CTI), and
- short-term mission-oriented research mainly for SME's.
Currently the institute combines research projects in soft condensed matter-based nanotechnology with a dedicated colloid & polymer synthesis laboratory and a unique experimental infrastructure with one of the best-equipped scattering laboratories world wide that can be applied in the following areas:
- Dynamic and structural properties of functional (nano)materials on a wide range of length and time scales,
- nanoparticle synthesis and characterization,
- surface and interface analysis via light scattering, ellipsometry and microscopy (AFM/STM),
- optical (confocal laser scanning) and electron microscopy.
We support an open laboratory structure with a visitors program where scientists can apply for visits of various duration in order to perform experiments at the Institute. This will help to create a vibrant scientific atmosphere and generate new collaborations between the institute and external groups.