The research in SMG takes inspiration from the structures and assembly processes found in natural systems, where bottom up (self‐assembly, crystallization) and top down strategies (localized structuring) are combined. These concepts are applied studying systems with close resemblance to biological materials, but also in materials that have no obvious relation to natural systems, such as conducting hybrid materials. Central to the research of SMG is to obtain a detailed understanding of processes and interactions in the formation of soft and hybrid materials, such that eventually structures and properties can be predicted. The work focusses on the fundamental aspects of these materials and the processes for their formation, but also ‐ together with industrial partners ‐ on the possible impact of these principles in technological applications.

Bioinspired Materials: Biominerals, such as bones teeth and shells often have physical
(mechanical, optical) properties, that in many cases match those of man‐made materials and which derive from the high level of control over the structure, size, shape and assembly of the constituents. By mimicking natural systems in the laboratory we aim at obtaining further insight in the principles of biomineralization, and subsequently explore these in the synthesis of novel hybrid materials.

Multiscale Materials: The hierarchical organization of biological materials in many cases is crucial to their advanced physical properties, which are tailor‐made to specific functions such as skeletal support, light harvesting and magnetic sensing. We therefore aim to achieve synthetic materials with similar complexity and functionality by multiscale assembly of materials into hierarchical structures through a combination of bottom‐up (self‐assembly) and top‐down (processing/confinement) strategies.

Center of Multiscale Electron Microscopy: To study the development of morphology and structure in such multi‐component architectures by chemical synthesis, self‐organization and directed assembly we make use of our expertise in advanced electron microscopy (EM). The EM expertise and infrastructure of SMG is organized within the Center for Multiscale Electron Microscopy and is focused on the analysis of soft and hybrid materials.