The dimension of billionths of a meter is so incredibly small that different physical laws than the familiar world prevail – gold in the nano-dimension is red, iron nanoparticles are so reactive that they ignite themselves. These are just two examples among many. Therefore, nanotechnology offers the possibility to discover new properties in supposedly long-known materials and to use them. The applications of nanotechnology are almost endless and range from power engineering to materials science to medicine.

CENIDE, the "Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen", represents the appropriate focus of research at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE): Since 2005, it links research and teaching activities that deal with the nano-dimension, in natural sciences, engineering and in medicine. In short: CENIDE is the community of nano-researchers at the UDE – the know-how of more than 60 working groups under guidance of designated experts meets here. Partnerships with external members with similar research approaches strengthen the skills spectrum.

One focus of research is nanoenergy – the use of nanotechnology for energy applications. The research building, "NanoEnergieTechnikZentrum, NETZ" is expected to open in early 2013. It is a so far unique complex for the link between basic research and application-related processing for energy technology: In the "linked facilities", directly interconnected laboratories for engineers, chemists and physicists, nanomaterials will be produced, investigated and processed immediately for energy applications.

As a central scientific institution of the UDE and as a partner of the cluster NanoMikro+Werkstoffe.NRW CENIDE co-determines the projects and goals of nanotechnology research in North-Rhine Westphalia significantly.