ZONA is one of the physics departments of the University Linz, connected to the chair of Material Science. The two main objectives are1) to foster material science research: we put great emphasis on fundamental properties of materials, surfaces and interfaces rather than on applied science and product development. Naturally, application of materials is the ultimate goal, but this needs to be built on a firm theoretical basis so that improvements can be made more efficiently and reliably. Particular attention is thereforegiven to understanding a material’s behaviour from the atomic/nano-level via microstructure to macrostructure levels using advanced analytical techniques and computer modelling. This strategy is applied to both the improvement of conventional “bulk” materials, such as steel, and to new functional materials for increasingly smaller, “smarter” devices";2) acting as a mediator between basic research and applied material science, serving both the in-house (JKU) institutes as well as the interested Austrian (and European) companies. ZONA plays a primary role through support of interdisciplinary and interfacultary research, training and education through essential resources for electron- and ion beam micro- and nano-characterization of all kind of advanced materials, as well as analysis techniques for surfaces and interfaces. We serve in-house (University Linz) physics and chemistry departments with advanced analytical techniques and know-how, but we also cooperate in strategic projects with local and European industries.