The Laboratory's reputation has continued to grow, as noted in an assessment report by the National Research Council which named LSS as the leading research laboratory in the U.S. in the area of surface structure. Today, the Laboratory for Surface Studies is known worldwide for the high quality of its research and educational programs as well as its conferences and visiting lectureships on surface studies. Much of the research at LSS seeks to solve problems for industry. Located in the most highly industrialized part of the state, LSS is critically positioned to assist in the transfer of technology from the scientific laboratory to the production line.
Students have access to some of the world's experts in the study of surface phenomena.
One of the few universities in the U.S. with such a multidisciplinary and comprehenisive curriculum, UWM offers basic chemical and physical courses on the characteristic properties of surfaces, as well as advanced studies in topics such as high vacuum surface spectroscopy, ceramic thin films, and electron microscopy.