Trends in Nanotechnology (TNT2007)
Authors: Correia Antonio , Sáenz Juan José , Ordejon Pablo 
Published: May 2008

This special issue of physica status solidi (a) presents representative contributions describing the main topics covered at the eighth Trends in Nanotechnology (TNT2007) International Conference, held in San Sebastian (Spain), 3–7 September 2007.

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, and enhancing scientific and personal relations among participants. TNT2007, successful consequence of a coordinated effort among several institutions, was organised in a similar way to the prior TNT conferences, with an impressive scientific programme including 41 Keynote and Invited lectures covering a wide spectrum of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology research. In 2007, more than 425 scientists worldwide attended this event and contributed with 70 oral contributions and 263 posters, stimulating discussions about their most recent research. The TNT2007 edition was organised in San Sebastian (Spain) to stress in particular the importance at the European level of the “Basque Country Nanoscience and Technological Offer”.

The aim of the conference was to focus on the presentation of the latest Nanoscience results obtained worldwide and their related applications and to bring together, in a scientific forum, various groups belonging to industry, universities and government institutions. TNT2007 was again 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. One of the main objectives of the TNT2007 conference was to provide a platform where young researchers can present their latest work (for the first time, a specific parallel session was dedicated to students) and also interact with high‐level scientists. Therefore, 82 graduate students received a grant allowing them to attend and present their work. In addition, 18 prizes to the best posters were awarded during this event.

The following Scientific Institutions, Companies and Government Agencies supported TNT2007: Phantoms Foundation, Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), CIC nanoGUNE Consolider, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Oviedo, University of Purdue, Georgia Institute of Technology, CEA/LETI, Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior (ICEX), “españa‐technology for life” program, CEA/DRFMC, MINATEC, NIMS (Nanomaterials Laboratory), Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), The Office of Naval Research International Field Office (ONRIFO), iNANO, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, NSERC/CRSNG (Nano Innovation Platform), GDR‐E/NanoE, Raith GmbH, Nanoquanta (NoE), European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility (ETSF), Parque Científico de Barcelona (PCB), Universidad SEK, Ayuntamiento de San Sebastian, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC), Parque Científico de Madrid (PCM), IJ Cambria Scientific, FEI Company, Spanair, Forschungszentrum Jülich, P. Van Hove (private donation) and Wiley‐VCH & pss.

We would also like to thank all the participants for their assistance, the authors for their written contributions and the following companies for their participation: Nanotec Electronica, Raith, Scientec, Schaefer Techniques, Biometa, Telstar Instrumat, HWL Scientific Instrument, Omicron Nanotechnology, Nanotimes, Phantoms Foundation, Wiley‐VCH, IK4, Tecnalia, DIPC, UPV‐EHU/Polymat, UPV‐EHU/ “Materials+Technologies” Research Group, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE, CIC microGUNE, UPV‐EHU/NanoBioterm Group and Midatech.

We invite readers of this special issue to join us in Oviedo (Spain), where the next Trends in Nanotechnology edition will take place in 2008 (http://www.tntconf.org). (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)