Research Focus: Our research projects aim at the understanding of microstructure-property relationships of functional materials and the synthesis of fundamental research, quantitative methodological approaches, and their applications in technology-oriented material developments. Particular emphasis is put on

• Microstructure research of thin film systems, interfaces, defects, and nanomaterials
• Quantitative methods of high-resolution and analytical transmission electron microscopy
• Nanoanalytics with electrons in materials and surface science

Methods: The Center of Materials Analysis (CMA) and the "Kieler Nanolabor" of the CAU provide access to a number of methods for the nanoanalysis of materials. Techniques predominantly used in our research projects are the advanced high-resolution imaging (HRTEM, STEM/HAADF, EFTEM) and spectroscopic (EELS/ELNES, EDXS) methods of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), state-of-the-art image simulation, digital image analysis methods, as well as dual-beam FIB / SEM / EDX methods for focussed ion beam (FIB) TEM specimen preparation. The central TEM laboratory facility - coordinated by Dr. Andriy Lotnyk - operates a FEI Tecnai F30 G2-ST analytical transmission electron microscope, equipped with a GATAN GIF / TRIDIEM 863 Imaging Energy Filter with Multi-Scan CCD cameras, and with specimen holders for temperature control and electron tomography for 3D object reconstruction. Software packages for state-of-the-art image simulation, digital image analyses, spectral data analyses, and exit-wave reconstruction from focal series assist in the evaluation of the experimental data. Furthermore, a conventional Philips CM30 transmission electron microscope, a FEI XL 30 scanning electron microscope, and laboratories for conventional TEM specimen preparation - coordinated by Ms. C. Szillus - are available.

Course Teaching and Research Thesis Projects: Study courses for Bachelor and Master Students (teaching languages English, German) in the subject areas Fundamentals of Materials Science, Analytical Methods in Materials Science, and Advanced Methods of Transmission Electron Microscopy. Offers for thesis projects of Bachelor and Master students, and for Dissertation projects.

Collaboration Offers for Research and Technology: R&D collaboration with research institutions and with industry. Consulting and expert advice. Funded project research in technology transfer. Continuing education "Analytics of Materials for Research and Industry / Materialanalytik für Forschung und Industrie" (Prof. W. Jäger, teaching languages German / English), www.uni-kiel.de/wiss-weiterbildung.