TNT 2004: Trends in Nanotechnology

Abstract

This special issue of Nanotechnology presents representative contributions describing the main topics covered at the fifth `Trends in Nanotechnology' (TNT2004) international conference, held in Segovia, Spain, 13–17 September 2004.During the past few years many international or regional conferences have emerged in response to the growing awareness of the importance of nanotechnology as a key issue for the future of scientific and technological development. Among these, the conference series `Trends in Nanotechnology' (Toledo, Spain, 2000; Segovia, Spain, 2001; Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 2002; Salamanca, Spain, 2003; and Segovia, Spain, 2004) has become one of the most important meeting points in the nanotechnology field: it provides fresh ideas, brings together well-known speakers, and promotes a suitable environment for discussions, exchanging ideas, and enhancing scientific and personal relations among participants. TNT2004 was organized in a similar way to the four previous TNT conferences, with an impressive scientific programme, without parallel sessions, covering a wide spectrum of nanotechnology research. In 2004, more than 370 scientists worldwide attended this event and contributed more than 80 talks, 236 posters, and 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. TNT2004 was particularly effective at transmitting information and establishing contacts among workers in this field. Graduate students attending such conferences understand the importance of interdisciplinary skills in facilitating their future lines of research. Sixty-four graduate students received a grant (from NASA, ONRIFO, IRC, iNANO, SME, NSERC/CRSNG, EU PHANTOMS Network or TNT) allowing them to present their work. During this event, 22 prizes for the best posters were awarded. We would like to thank all the participants for their assistance, as well as the authors for their written contributions.TNT2004 is the successful consequence of a coordinated effort from several institutions: PHANTOMS Foundation, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad SEK, Universidad de Salamanca, CMP Científica, University of Cambridge/IRC, NIMS, Nanotechnology Research Institute (NRI), University of Purdue, Georgia Institute of Technology and IEEE. In addition, we are indebted to the following institutions, companies and government agencies for their help and financial support: PHANTOMS Network/European Commission (IST/FET Program), NASA, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Motorola, IoP, iNANO, NSERC/CRSNG (Nano Innovation Platform), Junta de Castilla y León, Donostia International Physics Center, Sociedad de Microscopía Española (SME), Nanonet, 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 and Parque Científico de Madrid.We would also like to thank the following companies for their participation: NanoTec, Raith GmbH, Scientec, BFI Optilas, Schaefer, Interface Ltd, World Scientific and Imperial College Press and Institute of Physics Publishing.We invite readers of this special issue to join us at the next `Trends in Nanotechnology' conference, which will take place at Oviedo (Spain) in 2005, (http://www.tnt2005.org).