In the laboratories of the Department of Physics, we develop and study novel such nanostructures, where understanding of nanoscale phenomena is not merely a challenge of fundamental research, but also carries the potential for later technological applications. In a range from atomic sizes to a few hundred nanometers, we not only apply the standard processes of modern nanotechnology (nanolithography, atomic layer deposition, chemical preparation) but also search for custom preparation techniques for contacting single molecules, creating self-organized structures or building atomic-scale switches. Another important direction of our research is the development of reliable contacting techniques for single molecules applying self-designed break junction setups.