Based on broad competencies across all material classes, Empa puts a strong emphasis on the knowledge of design and the understanding of new materials at the nanoscale. Examples range from nanocrystals to new 1D or 2D materials such as graphene nanoribbons, from functionalized polymers to nanocellulose, from ceramic high entropy alloys to metallic nanoparticles. Materials are studied both in thin-film and bulk forms. Novel materials such as perovskites or MXenes are investigated. The common thread in our activities is on materials where we see the potential for future product applications, and that their synthesis can be scaled up in an economically and ecologically viable way.