The Nanoscience Paradigm: "Size Matters!" -- Size effects on semiconductor nanoparticles -- Metal nanoparticles for microscopy and spectroscopy -- Nanoporous materials and confined liquids -- Supported nanoparticles -- The challenge of colloidal nanoparticle synthesis -- Electron microscopy techniques -- Scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy -- Electron paramagnetic resonance based spectroscopic techniques -- Solution NMR toolbox for colloidal nanoparticles.