Our research focuses on the characterization and manipulation of nanostructures, single atoms and functionalized molecules on surfaces. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) at different temperatures, we image them with atomic and submolecular resolution, while spectroscopy provides information about their electronic structure.

Manipulation is performed by light or with the STM tip, using chemical forces, tunneling electrons or the electric field. Such manipulation experiments make it possible to trigger chemical reactions, investigate molecular functions or displace molecules, atoms or nanostructures with atomic precision.

Details about the group's research and the manipulation of single molecules on surfaces can be found in the following presentations:

• The Grill group participation in the first Nanocar Race (Apr 2017)
• TEDx MPI Stuttgart (Oct 2019)
• Foresight Molecular Machines group (May 2022) (starting at 22:16)

The main goals of our work are:

• Imaging and manipulation of single atoms and molecules on surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy
• Triggering and understanding chemical reactions at the single molecule level
• Bottom-up construction of molecular nanostructures: supramolecular growth and on-surface polymerization
• Molecular "nanomachines" with specific mechanical or electrical functionalities