The broad range of services offered by the department range from surface analysis and modification to the study of mechanisms at molecular and nanoscopic scales to the identification of the application limits and functions of new high-performance materials. Our focus lies in the fundamental processes that need to be understood to identify or prevent the causes of damage, including those phenomena that dictate ageing and degradation on internal and external contact surfaces.

These research, testing and standardisation activities contribute towards ensuring the safe functioning of technical products and processes that are subject to complex and interrelated mechanical, chemical, physical, thermal and climatic stresses.

Divisions

Division 6.1 Surface Analysis and Interfacial Chemistry Division 6.2 Interfacial Processes and Corrosion Division 6.3 Struc­ture Analysis Division 6.4 Nan­o­ma­te­ri­al Technologies Division 6.5 Syn­the­sis and Scat­te­ring of Na­no­struc­tu­red Materials Division 6.6 Phy­si­cal and Chemical Analysis of Po­ly­mers Division 6.7 Surface Modification and Measurement Technology