Preface: phys. stat. sol. (a) 204/6 (2007)

Abstract This special issue of physica status solidi (a) contains a compilation of contributions representing the main topics covered at the seventh Trends in Nanotechnology (TNT2006) International Conference, held in Grenoble (France), 4–8 September 2006. 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. TNT2006 was organised in a similar way to the prior TNT conferences, with an impressive scientific programme including 36 Keynote lectures, without parallel sessions, covering a wide spectrum of Nanoscience &amp; Nanotechnology research. In 2006, more than 380 scientists worldwide attended this event and contributed with 70 oral contributions and 210 posters, stimulating discussions about their most recent research. The TNT2006 edition was organised outside of Spain for the first time – namely in Grenoble (France) – to stress the importance of the launch of the Centre of Innovation in Micro and Nanotechnology (MINATEC) at the European level. 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. TNT2006 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 successfully develop their future research lines. One of the main objectives of the TNT2006 conference was to provide a platform where young researchers can present their latest work and also interact with high‐level scientists. Therefore, 65 graduate students received a grant allowing them to attend and present their work. In addition, 21 prizes to the best posters were awarded during this event. TNT2006 is the successful consequence of a coordinated effort among several organising Institutions: Phantoms Foundation, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Oviedo, Donostia International Physics Center, Nanomaterials Laboratory‐NIMS, CEA/LETI, MINATEC, 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: CEA/DSM/DFRMC, Ecole Centrale Paris, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, The Office of Naval Research International Field Office (ONRIFO), iNANO, NSERC/CRSNG (Nano Innovation Platform), GDR‐E/NanoE, Raith GmbH, World Scientific and Imperial College Press, Parque Cientifico de Barcelona (PCB)‐CREBEC, Universidad SEK, Parque Científico de Madrid (PCM), Springer, Institute of Physics Publishing, Merck, IJ Cambria Scientific, NanoSciences Rhone Alpes, Ville de Grenoble, INPGrenoble, Université Joseph Fourier, Délégation Générale pour l'Armement (DGA), Institut de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, P. Van Hove (private donation), Royal Society of Chemistry and Wiley‐VCH &amp; 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, Raith GmbH, Scientec, Schaefer Techniques, Orsay Physics, Atomic Force, Omicron Nanotechnology, Fondis Electronic, EPISTEP/Alma Consulting, Atomistix, FinNano, Nanotimes, Institute of Physics Publishing, CEA, World Scientific and Imperial College Press and Wiley‐VCH. We invite readers of this special issue to join us in San Sebastian (Spain), where the next Trends in Nanotechnology 2007 edition will take place ( http://www.tnt2007.org ). (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)