The research activity in the field of Condensed Matter Physics comprises several scientific lines and it is aimed at the understanding of the basic relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. Basic physics research is performed from both an experimental and a theoretical point of view, while several applications to Microelectronics and Photovoltaics innovative technologies are pursued, also thanks to some collaborations with industries (ST-Microelectronics, ETC, Moncada Energy Group) and with local CNR institutes (INFM-MATIS and IMM, Catania site).

Special emphasis is given to Nanoscience, involving the development of new confined material systems or devices with nanometer dimension. A particular attention is devoted to the synthesis and the characterization of nanostructures (nanocrystals, amorphous nanoclusters, nanowires, quantum wells, with both semiconducting and metallic behaviour) and to the comprehension of the correlation between structure, optical and electrical properties of these materials. New strategies are also covered towards the fabrication of ultra-shallow junctions and of nanoscaled electronic devices, as well as novel materials are exploited with enhanced optical properties with the fabrication of prototype electroluminescent devices

The development of new semiconductor materials overcoming the limitations of silicon has arisen great interest. Wide band-gap semiconductors, like SiC, ZnO, CdTe, GaN and diamonds, with their excellent electrical properties are likely candidates to replace Si in the near future for high power requirements. Moreover the combination of their optical and electrical properties allows obtaining new generation devices and self-assembled nanostructures.

A growing interest is emerged in 'Soft condensed matter’. It is new physic discipline that studies liquid systems in which are dispersed 'mesoscopic' structures with sizes between 10 nm to 1 micron. These mesoscopic structures can be polymers (like DNA or proteins), surfactants (like lipids), liquid crystals, colloidal grains, molecular aggregates and also biological materials. These systems show properties independent of chemical details and display new and strange properties. Our research is focused on the understanding of the dynamic properties of DNA.