Background and physical principles at the nanometer scale, forces, limits, scaling-effects, high-resolution imaging systems, SEM, TEM, Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy (STM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM), Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM), force measurement, single molecule spectroscopy, dynamics of AFM and video-rate AFM, image processing, nano-mechanical characterization, nanoindentation, nanolithography, particle manipulation, nano-robotics, scientific instrumentation, physical sensor and actuator principles.