Preface: phys. stat. sol. (b) 244/11

Abstract

AbstractThe 21st Winterschool on Electronic Properties of Novel Materials (IWEPNM 2007) took place from 10 March to 17 March 2007. It continued the tradition of winterschools of this type in Kirchberg/Tirol in its well‐known atmosphere of collegiality and emphasis on scientific exchange between young and experienced scientists.The sessions at the IWEPNM 2007 focused on quantum information, carbon nanostructure synthesis, purification and separation, the characterization and properties of carbon nanostructures, fullerenes, endohedrals, and fullerides, excitons in carbon nanotubes, the chemical treatment of carbon nanotubes, nanotube filling and double‐walled nanotubes, graphite and graphene, non‐carbonaceous nanostructures, electron and heat transport in carbon nanostructures, composites with carbon nanotubes, and on theory and applications of these materials. This proceedings volume is divided into according sections.The program of the Winterschool was composed of invited oral presentations, poster presentations and mini‐workshops. The oral presentations were scheduled in morning and evening sessions, the mini‐workshops took place during the afternoons, and the posters were presented and discussed in two late‐evening sessions.In 2007 the Winterschool celebrated an anniversary: It had been of taking place for the 20th time at the Hotel Sonnenalp, a hotel ideally suited for the close interactions of international participants from many countries. We are grateful to the manager of Hotel Sonnenalp, Frau Edith Mayer, and her staff for the local arrangements as well as for her patience with many special requests during the meeting. We owe special thanks to the hotel staff for their careful organization of the celebration.The event benefited substantially from support of the Universität Wien and the Verein zur Förderung der Winterschulen in Kirchberg, as well as from numerous industrial sponsors. We greatly appreciate their financial contribution without which the meeting would have hardly become possible.Finally, special acknowledgments go to all contributors of the IWEPNM 2007 and to the authors of this volume, the proceedings of the Winterschool. Viera Skákalová was instrumental in compiling and editing the proceedings.In the name of all participants who have enjoyed the Winterschools since 1985 we express special thanks to Hans Kuzmany for his outstanding engagement in organizing the IWEP for so many years. His experience and advice will be needed for future Winterschools. The next Winterschool in this series will take place from 1 March to 8 March 2008, again in Kirchberg/Tirol, and will be organized by Christian Thomsen from Berlin.Wien, Darmstadt, Stuttgart, Berlin, 2007