he basic research in the Department for Nanostructured Materials focuses on inorganic materials with specific physical properties that are a consequence of their structural and chemical phenomena at the nanostructural and atomic levels. The fields of research involve natural and manufactured ceramic materials as well as metals and intermetallic compounds. The basis of the research is to find relationships between the physical properties of a material and its structural and chemical properties by using electron microscopy techniques to reveal phenomena on the nanoscale. Macroscopic phenomena, for example, phase transformations, phase equilibria, polytypisim, polymorphism, crystal growth and the development of the microstructure are areas of particular interest.

Apart from the basic research, activities are also focused on:

• postgradual education,
• applied research,
• services for external partners.