Nanotechnology has already found its way into a large number of everyday products. A well-known example are magnetic hard disks, whose enormous increase in storage density is due mainly to the protective layer of carbon, now only a few nanometers thick, on their storage surface. Because of its highly interdisciplinary nature, nano-technology demands particularly close and intensive collaboration between all those involved in the innovation process.

In this area of materials science, accurately adjusting structures smallerthan 100 nanometers and using them in industrial applications constitutes a major challenge. An important basis for their commercial use has been formed in Dresden and throughout Saxony over the past few years, through outstanding work in the field.