The precise characterization of nanomaterials is a prerequisite for the understanding of their physical properties. This subject teaches the principles and the application of various characterization techniques to inorganic nanomaterials (even though many of them can be applied to organic and hybrid materials as well). Tentative topical coverage: scanning and transmission electron microscopy (e.g. high resolution, electron diffraction) and related techniques (electron energy loss spectrometry, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), diffraction techniques, scanning probe techniques (STM, AFM, etc.), spectroscopic techniques (e.g. solid state NMR, XPS, X-ray absorption).