Interfacial forces under controlled environmental conditions are studied based on Single Molecule Force Spectroscopy, Chemical Force Microscopy and Colloidal Probe Technique Spectroscopy. Such AFM techniques allow for a quantification of interfacial and contact forces of organic molecules, macromolecules, and particles.

Kelvin Probe methods on the microscopic and nanoscopic level, as well as cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, are methods that are applied and adapted to advanced engineering and functional materials.

FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy are coupled with the control of the electrode potential and the analysis of interfacial current densities. Backside measurements, diffuse reflectance, as well as grazing incidence and attenuated total reflectance methods have been established for various applications.

Molecular surface chemistry comprises self-assembly processes of organosilanes, thiols, phosphonates, and carboxylates, electrografting of diazonium salts, and CVD of organosilanes. Thereby, functional materials, surfaces, and modified particles for additive manufacturing are created.

Corrosion studies consider both highly corrosion-resistant alloys and bioresorbable metal alloys for medical applications. Advanced alloys are synthesized via additive manufacturing in collaboration with dedicated research groups. Thin metal films are deposited by magnetron sputtering as a dry technology. A system for combinatorial thin-film deposition and analysis enables the development of functional thin-film compositions. Finally, corrosion studies consider interfaces in composite materials. In such cases, the analysis of polymer/metal and polymer/fiber interfaces is based on special interface analytical techniques such as the Kelvin Probe or confocal Raman spectroscopy.