The laboratory covers a range of research fields between organic synthesis, macromolecular chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, nano medicine, combinatorial material research as well as nanoscience. Significant support is obtained from the DFG, BMBF , State of Thuringia, EU, DPI, NWO, Evonik and the Fonds der Chemischen Industrie. The laboratory coordinates the DFG priority programme SPP 1568 “Des
ign and generic principles of self-healing materials”. Within the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, the laboratory coordinates the priority research area “Innovative Materials and Technologies” and the ProExcellence programmes ‘NanoConSens’ and ‘PhotoMic’; in addition, the laboratory actively participates in the BMBF "Spitzenforschung und Innovation in den Neuen Ländern" programme "Photonics in Nanomaterials" (PhoNa), the Abbe School of Photonics and the Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP). Currently about 70 members from 9 nations form the vibrant basis of an active research environment, which was documented in 60 refereed scientific publications in 2015; more than 3700 citations in 2015 demonstrate the worldwide impact of the research performed in the laboratory. The mission of the laboratory is to combine bottom-up and top-down approaches to functional materials from the nanoscopic to the mesoscopic length scale, combined with addressable (smart) features such as self-healing systems and responsive properties. Applications both in the field of photonics/optics as well as life science are currently targeted, in close cooperation with local partners in Jena as well as abroad.
