The department conducts research in the field of nanostructure engineering, encompassing interdisciplinary studies aimed at optimizing nanomaterials fabrication processes, surface physicochemistry, material modifications (either in bulk or at surface region, including biofunctionalization), characterization of properties, as well as applications in prototypes for energy conversion and storage as well as for ultrasensitive electrochemical diagnostics.

A significant part of the work involves the fabrication of nanostructures using electrochemical and physical techniques, particularly anodization and laser radiation. The research also includes comprehensive characterization of morphology, structure, optical properties, and electrochemical and photoelectrochemical activity. Unique research facilities enable the deposition of thin material layers via magnetron sputtering and their thermal processing, performed either at a slow heating rate (2 °C/min) or during rapid heating of the furnace chamber (40 °C/s), as well as with the use of an Nd:YAG laser beam.

Performing such interdisciplinary research is possible owing to collaboration with numerous scientific groups from national institutions (e.g., NanoBioMedical Centre in Poznań, M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics at Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Faculty of Technical Physics and Applied Mathematics, and Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications, and Informatics at Gdańsk University of Technology, Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics at Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Gdańsk, and the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences) and international partners (e.g., University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia, European Institute for Membranes in Montpellier, France, and Charles University in Prague) within the projects funded by agencies such as NCN and NCBR.

Apart from PhD students, undergraduate and master’s students completing engineering theses, master’s theses, or internships are often involved in research activities. Team members are also engaged in science popularization through science festivals and various social media platforms.