• Life Sciences
• Environmental Sciences
• Information Society Technology
• Physical Sciences/Engineering
• Nanotechnology

The Laboratory, founded in 1972, is an inter-university joint venture affiliated to the Jagiellonian University. It is aimed at independent, cooperative and contracted research. 
The Laboratory consists of 10 divisions and 6 associated research centres (Nanometer-scale Science and Advanced Materials Centre , NANOSAM, Jagiellonian University; Cracow Research Centre of Molecular Catalysis and Soft Matter Chemistry, CATCOLL, Institute of Catalysis and Physicochemistry of Surfaces, PAS and others). The divisions are located at the Jagiellonian University (the Faculty of Chemistry, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics), at the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy (the Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, the Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, and the Faculty of Casting), at the Institute of Catalysis and Physicochemistry of Surfaces of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) and at the Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (PAS). Some divisions are parts of larger research groups at the Jagiellonian University or other scientific institutions in Krakow. 
The Laboratory offers the most modern research infrastructure for materials research in general, and nanotechnology in particular, providing services and joint research opportunities to the academic community and industrial users of the region. The Laboratory is an integrating platform for various research institutions in Kraków. The Laboratory has an Advisory Board consisting of 15 delegates from all major academic and scientific institutions in Kraków.

1. Multitechnique surface analyses sytems LEED/AES/UPS/XPS/ISS/SIMS/SNMS in UHV (4 systems) - offering chemical and structural characterisation of solid state materials;
2. Scanning Probe UHV systems (4 setups) (STM, STS, AFM, DFM, KPFM), - high resolution structural and electronic analysis of advanced materials and nanostructures (atomic resolution as well as STS at liquid helium temperatures available) with nanomanipulation and nanostructuring options;
3. Atomic Force Microscopes for ambient and liquid environment operation (5 systems) - high resolution imaging, spectroscopy and manipulation of soft materials, bio- and medical materials characterisation;
4. Molecular beam epitaxy systems (2 systems) - synthesis of advanced materials and nanostructures for research applications;
5. High Resolution Mass Spectrometry with MALDI TOF - high resolution mass analysis of biomaterials;
6. Ion implanter - synthesis of advanced doped materials;
7. NMR spectrometers ( 2 systems) - for solid and soft materials characterisation;
8. High resolution scanning electron microscopes with microanalysis (EDS) options (3 systems) - high resolution structural imaging and chemical microprobe for solid materials and biomaterials;
9. Single crystal X-ray dyfractometers with monochromatic primary beams - high resolution crystallographic structure characterisation. 
   
   
    

 International co-operation activities 

International co-operation activities are based on:

• Bilateral co-operation with other research infrastructures/organisations/institutions
• Participation to European programmes/projects
• Participation in EC–funded projects
• Participation to inernational programmes/projects extending beyond Europe
  
  

 Main international co-operation projects 

1. EC funded FP6 NMP4-CT-2003-001516, STRP project "Dynamics in Nano-scale Materials Studied with Synchrotron Radiation", DYNASYNC, co-ordination, prof. Jozef Korecki;
2. EC funded FP6 MTKD-CT-2004-003132 project "Nano-Engineering for Expertise and Development, NEED, co-ordination, prof. Marek Szymonski;
3. EC funded FP6 MRTN-CT-2003-504462, RTN Ultrasmooth project; prof. Jozef Korecki;
4. EC funded FP5 project "Cracow Research Centre of Molecular Catalysis and Soft Matter Chemistry", CATCALL, co-ordination, prof. Piotr Warszynski;
5. European Science Fundation Project on Nanotribology, NATRIBO, 2002-2007, steering committee membership, prof. Marek Szymonski.
   

Why our research infrastructure has a clear European dimension:

This research infrastructure is already involved in many research and development activities on European research area and outside of Europe as well. It has a potential (intellectual as well as instrumental) to become one of the leading centres of nanotechnology in Central and Eastern Europe. Currently, it is already the most advanced research infrastructure network for nanoscience, nanotechnology, and materials characterisation in Poland. 
Furthermore, the research experience and the international recognition of the scientific staff involved in Regional Laboratory activities are also placing this institution among leading centres in this interdisciplinary area of research.