The research activities in this sub-line are aimed to prepare and study (multi)functional (nano)materials and devices obtained through the organization of molecular, both -organic and metallorganic-, building blocks or inorganic compounds in the solid state as well as on surfaces - as mono-, multi- or thin-layers - or as dispersed nano-objects -particles, tubes, wires, vesicles, etc- using "bottom-up" strategies -like self-assemblingassembly, crystallization, sublimation, deposition, template effect, electrodeposition, etc.

The resulting molecular, inorganic or organic-inorganic hybrid organizations, obtained either as bulk crystalline materials or structured surfaces or nanoscopic objects, may show one physical -electric, magnetic, optical, superconducting- or chemical -recognition, reactivity, sensing, catalytic- or biological property or combinations of them in the case of multifunctional materials. Obtaining such (multi)functional (nano)materials requires i) first the design and preparation, through synthetic chemical routes, of the proper building-blocks, followed by their organization/processing or structuring to get the final materials or devices, or ii) the use of chemical or physical thin film deposition methods, to get the final nanoobjects, heterostructures or nanocomposites.

The main activities developed within this sub-line are addressed to four different but complementary directions:

1. The development and study of new methodologies for i) organizing the molecular building blocks under soft conditions enabling to obtain the functional (nano)materials, ii) understanding and controlling thin film and multilayer growth mechanisms; and iii) self-assembling and assisted self-assembling strain-induced nanostructures from chemical or physical deposition methods controlled through kinetics and thermodynamics using chemical and electrochemical driving forces.
   
2. The preparation and study of new (multi)functional materials that exhibit one physical/chemical/biological property or combine more than one of these properties showing in some cases even synergy between them.
   
3. The development and study of functional nanoscale objects such as nanoparticles, nanorods, nanotubes aided by nanotemplating.
   
4. To transform the basic knowledge generated in this area of research - materials, devices, or methodologies - into ready-to-transfer technology to the productive system.