About CeNS
The Center for NanoScience (CeNS) was founded in 1998 at the 
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich as one of the first nanoscience networks worldwide. Today, CeNS crosslinks the work of about 80 senior and junior scientists and around 200 PhD and Diploma students. The CeNS members share their extended interdisciplinary knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, medicine and pharmacy to promote progress in nanosciences and nano-bio-sciences.
Research Cooperation
CeNS stimulates and supports research cooperation - crossing the borders between disciplines and different institutions. Shared knowledge and know-how as well as continuous discussions between the members of the network promote synergy effects which boost scientific progress. CeNS continuously provides a multitude of different occasions for the researches to meet and exchange ideas in the framework of scientific meetings and social events. Furthermore, the network awards funding for cooperation projects of scientists belonging to different CeNS groups.
Interdisciplinary Education
CeNS offers a comprehensive educational program to PhD and Diploma students. Workshops, seminars, colloquia and lecture series are organized on a regular basis throughout the whole year. The topics presented by internationally renowned speakers cover the broad spectrum of nanosciences and nanobiosciences. International exchange programs and soft-skill workshops complete the interdisciplinary program. The students are strongly incited to conceive and organize scientific events on their own and are strongly encouraged to invite interesting speakers to seminars and workshops.
Transfer to Industry
CeNS fosters the transfer of results from basic research to industrial applications. CeNS members cooperate with industry partners in the framework of joint research projects. Furthermore, creation of spin-off companies by researchers is strongly encouraged and supported by CeNS. The strong connections between the spin-off companies and their colleagues at CeNS provide a solid basis for lasting joint research projects.
History
CeNS was initiated and established in 1998 by one theoretical and five experimental groups at the Department of Physics at the LMU (Prof. J. Feldmann, Prof. H. Gaub, Prof. K. Karrai, Prof. J. P. Kotthaus, Prof. J. S. Peisl, and Prof. W. Zwerger) and formally started its activities in the beginning of 1999. The expertise of the founding members covers the areas of
Biophysics at the nanometer scale
Scanning probe analysis and nano-optics
Nanometer semiconductor physics and devices
Experimental physics biophysics and soft condensed matter physics
Statistical and Biological Physics
Since then, a large number of scientists from different research groups working in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and medicine and based at the LMU, the Technical University of Munich, the University of Augsburg, and other institutions have joined the network. CeNS currently combines the activities of about 280 highly motivated researchers.
Organization
CeNS is directed by a board of three scientific directors, one acting as spokesman. The board is elected by the members of CeNS every two years. A scientific manager and an advisory board of internationally renowned scientists assist the board. CeNS is composed of members (professors and group leaders) and associates (Diploma, Master and PhD students).
CeNS is open to everyone working in the field of nanosciences who wishes to cooperate with other CeNS members.