"The overall aim of the NANOMAT project is to build the research capacity in converging sciences and micro/nanosystems at the Research Centre for Microsystems and Nanotechnology, Kaunas University of Technology (RCMN-KTU), to the highest European level and create a European Centre of Excellence in Nanostructured Materials. RCMN-KTU is a very promising European research organisation as demonstrated by its participation in five FP5 and FP6 networking projects in the fields of nanoscience and microsystems. The Centre of Excellence will be created through a range of capacity building activities derived from RCMN-KTU’s SWOT analysis. The activities will increase RCMN-KTU’s competitiveness and visibility in the most advanced topics of converging sciences and micro/nanosystems: 1. Nanostructures by ionic self-assembly of porphyrins; 2. Near field optical microscope for cells research; 3. Electro-mechanics of cells and biostructures; 4. Growth and formation of carbon nanotubes structures by chemical vapour deposition; 5. Development of gas sensors based on functionalized porphyrin nanotubes; and 6. Development of micromachined silicon cantilevers for scanning shear force microscopy applications. Central to the activities are twinning partnerships with 3 specialist research groups: Centre for Nanoscience and Quantum Information, University of Bristol; Micro and Nanosciences Laboratory, Helsinki University of Technology; and the National Centre for Microelectronics, Barcelona. RCMN-KTU will increase its human potential by hiring 3 young experienced Lithuanian researchers and organising training stages. RCMN-KTU will increase its technology potential by upgrading its existing scanning probe equipment by Nano-Raman,TERS, confocal microscopy and purchasing a controlled frequency synthesizer and ultra-high resolution frequency discriminator. Finally, the NANOMAT project addresses research priorities identified by the EU Technology Platforms MINAM and Nanomedicine as well as FP7 NMP and ICT Work Programmes."