[1][2] In October 2006 the LCN installed the first monochromated electron microscope in the UK at its site on the Imperial College London campus.

[6] LCN's research is organised around three themes, which it characterizes as follows: • Information Technology: Computing and communications needs continue to grow and underpin all other human endeavours.

• Planet Care: The LCN uses its expertise, ranging from biology to chemistry and materials science, to conduct research in areas including novel photovoltaics, new approaches to exploring current energy supplies, low-power lighting and computing, new materials, instrumentation for the nuclear industry, and storing hydrogen efficiently at room temperature.

LCN has access to a range of facilities include: • Nano-CAD: techniques to simulate, visualize and design nano-scale structures and devices in the biological and non-biological areas; first principles atomic/molecular level theory, systems modelling and other powerful computational tools.

• Nano-characterisation: the full range of optical, electron, ion and scan-probe based technologies required to image and understand nanostructures in both the biological and non-biological areas - measuring nano-electrical, structural, mechanical, rheological, acoustic, thermal and magnetic properties.