Editorial: Trends in Nanotechnology (TNT2005)
Authors: Correia Antonio , Serena Pedro A. , José Saenz Juan , Reifenberger Ron , Ordejón Pablo 
Published: April 2006

This special issue of physica status solidi (a) presents representative contributions describing the main topics covered at the sixth “Trends in Nanotechnology” (TNT2005) International Conference, held in Oviedo (Spain), 29 August–2 September 2005.

During the last years many international or national conferences have emerged in response to the growing awareness of the importance of nanotechnology as key issue for the future scientific and technological development. Among these, the conference series “Trends in Nanotechnology” has become one of the most important meeting points in the nanotechnology field: it provides fresh organisation ideas, brings together well known speakers, and promotes a suitable environment for discussions, exchanging ideas, enhancing scientific and personal relations among participants. TNT2005 was organised in a similar way to the five prior TNT conferences, with an impressive scientific programme including 40 Keynote lectures and two Nobel prizes, without parallel sessions, covering a wide spectrum of Nanotechnology research. In 2005, more than 360 scientists worldwide attended this event and contributed with more than 60 oral contributions and 250 posters, stimulating discussions about their most recent research.

The aim of the conference was to focus on the applications of Nanotechnology and to bring together, in a scientific forum, various worldwide groups belonging to industry, universities and government institutions. TNT2005 was particularly effective at transmitting information and establishing contacts among workers in this field. Graduate students attending such conferences have understood the importance of interdisciplinary skills to afford their future research lines. 76 graduate students received a grant allowing them to present their work. 28 prizes to the best posters were awarded during this event. We would like to thank all the participants for their assistance, as well as the authors for their written contributions.

TNT2005 is the successful consequence of a coordinated effort among several organising Institutions: PHANTOMS Foundation, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Oviedo, Donostia International Physics Center, Nanomaterials Laboratory‐NIMS, CEA/LETI and CEA/DSM/DFRMC, University of Purdue and Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition, we are indebted to the following institutions, companies and government agencies for their help and financial support: NASA, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, iNANO, NSERC/CRSNG (Nano Innovation Platform), Sociedad de Microscopía Española (SME), Wiley‐VCH, Raith GmbH, The European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (EOARD), The Office of Naval Research International Field Office (ONRIFO), World Scientific and Imperial College Press, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Parque Científico de Barcelona, Parque Científico de Madrid, Tyndall National institute, Nanoquanta, GDR‐E Nano‐E, Minatec, Dupont, Physica Status Solidi, Zeiss, Ayuntamiento de Oviedo, Gobierno de Principado de Asturias, Asturiana de Zinc, cajAstur, Aleastur, Aceralia‐Grupo Arcelor, Saint‐Gobain Cristaleria, Mediadores Asociados Asturianos and Inderscience Publishers.

We would like also to thanks the following companies for their participation: NanoTec, Raith GmbH, Scientec, NT‐MDT, Schaefer Techniques, Suss Microtec, Carl Zeiss, Biometa, Wiley‐VCH, World Scientific and Imperial College Press and Atomic Force.

We invite readers of this special issue to join us in Grenoble (France), where the next “Trends in Nanotechnology” 2006 edition will take place (http://www.tnt2006.org).