1. Synthesis and Properties of Nanomaterials

This track solicits experimental, theoretical and computational works on synthesis and self-assembly of 1D, 2D and 3D nanostructures. One example is nanoelectronic materials, particularly nanocrystals and nanowires, where it is possible to realize unique functionality by engineering the dimensionality of the building blocks. Another area of interest for this section deals with composite materials, such as metal-, carbon-, ceramic- and polymer-based nanocomposites, and polymeric materials, including nanoparticles, nanospheres and nanocapsules that offer excellent surface to volume ratio, and can be combined with inorganic materials to offer even greater functionality due to responsiveness to external stimuli (pH, temperature, light, electric or magnetic fields).  While the main focus of this track is the preparation techniques, structure, and properties, the works primarily dealing with practical applications should be submitted to more specialized Tracks (e.g. "nanomedicine", "photonics", and "energy"), when appropriate.

Main Topics:

- New routes for synthesis of "building blocks",
- Size-, shape- and composition-dependent properties,
- Top-down and bottom-up approached for self-assembly,
- Block-co-polymers, interfacial science and morphology control,
- Micro- and nano-encapsulation, coatings, diffusion and controlled release technology,
- Nanocomposites and nanohybrids,
- Theory and modeling of the formation, evolution, and self-organization of nanoscale systems.

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2. Carbon-based and other 2D materials

Carbon-based and other 2D materials possess excellent mechanical strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, and optical properties, leading to a rapid expansion of their applications in various fields, such as in high-strength composite materials, electronics and valleytronics, catalysis, and  biomedicine. This track covers the traditional family of single-element carbon-based nanomaterials, including single or multi-walled nanotubes, fullerenes, nanodiamonds, and graphene, as well as layered materials with mixed elemental compositions, such as transition metal dichalcogenides, MXenes, and van der Waals heterostructures.

Main Topics:

- Carbon nanotubes,
- Graphene  and graphene oxide,
- Fullerenes and nanodiamonds
- Dichalcogenides,
- Xenes.

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3. Photonics & Nanomaterials

This track is devoted to optical properties of nanomaterials, including nanophotonics,- the area of research that is focused on understanding of light interaction with nanoscale materials. While in classical optics the diffraction limit prevents one from being able to manipulate light at sub-wavelength scales, in the nanophotonics this can be achieved by coupling to propagating and localized surface plasmons, using nanoscale antennas and apertures, as well as exploiting the  interplay between the far- and near-fields in scanning probe microscopes, and optical tweezers. Of special interest are the nanomaterials-enables detectors and imaging systems, operating from x-rays and UV-VIS, to THz and RF waves.

Main Topics:

- Plasmonic structures and quantum dots,
- Nanophotonics and optical manipulation,
- Spectroscopic studies of nanoscale materials,
- Molecular energy transfer and light harvesting,
- Photonic and optoelectronic materials and devices,
- Photodetectors, sensors and imaging,
- Nonlinear optics,
- Microwave optics and devices, including superconducting and single photon detectors.

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4. Trends in Spintronics and Spin-related Phenomena at Nanoscale

Spintronics is an emerging field of nanoscience that exploits the spin of the electron, in addition to its electric charge, to store, manipulate and transfer information. This track focuses on a variety of magnetic nanomaterials, with prime emphasis on spin-dependent transport and other spin-related effects in magnetically ordered materials. It covers metallic, semiconducting and dielectric systems and their heterostructures, as well as spin dynamics phenomena. Relevant timescales range from the femtosecond regime, where elementary magnetic quantum processes are important, to the nanosecond regime typical for magnetization reversal and spin-waves excitation.

Main Topics:

- Spin currents and magneto-transport,
- Magnonics, spin waves and magnetization dynamics,
- Spin textures, including magnetic domains, vortices and skyrmions,
- MRAM, magnetic field sensors, spin logic and related devices,
- Amorphous and nanocrystalline magnetic materials,
- Hard magnets: thin films, and nanostructures,
- Magnetic ribbons, thin films, nanoparticles, and nanowires,
- Heusler alloys and magnetocaloric materials,
- Magneto-optical materials and device,
- Interplay between magnetism and superconductivity.

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5. Thin Films, Nanostructured Materials and Coatings

This track is devoted to the most recent advances in chemical and physical methods for thin film deposition, surface engineering, including ion- and plasma-assisted processes, focusing on the understanding of synthesis/processing-structure-properties relationship for a variety of thin film systems.

Main Topics:

- Advances in deposition techniques,
- Thin film growth & epitaxy: theory & experiments,
- New materials in thin film form: diamond-like films, granular alloys, high entropy alloys, oxynitrides, intermetallic compounds,
- Ultra-hard, wear-, oxidation-resistant and multifunctional coatings,
- Superconducting, magnetic, semiconducting, and dielectric films,
- Electrochemical and electroless depositions,
- Characterization and instrumentation,
- Industrial applications.

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6. Nanomaterials for Clean Energy and Environment

Energy conversion, storage and transport processes inherently occur at the nanoscale and at interfaces and surfaces abundant in nanomaterials. Indeed, nanostructured materials often demonstrate favorable transport and physical properties, as well as confinement effects with large surface to volume ratios, and thus are of great interest for energy-related applications such as solar cells, catalysts, thermoelectrics, lithium ion batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen storage systems.

Main Topics:

- Nanomaterials for solar-to-electric energy conversion,
- Hydrogen and fuels cells,
- Energy storage and generation,
- Bio-inspired energy materials,
- Nanomaterials for environment protection and remediation; CO2 reduction,
- Nanotech for water technologies.

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7. Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials for Life Sciences

The nanotechnology revolution offers novel approaches to address the major problems in modern medicine, leading to the emergence of nanomedicine as a new paradigm for diagnosis and therapy. This track's focus includes nano/bio interfacing, nanodevices and biosensors, bioassay labeling, nanoparticles-enabled hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery, toxicity of nanomaterials, imaging and other life-sciences-relevant technologies.

Main Topics:

- Nanodevices and sensors for bio/nanomedicine,
- Nanoparticles-based platforms for cancer diagnostics, imaging and treatment,
- Nanoparticles manipulation, microfluidics and lab-on-chip technologies,
- Bio-nanomaterials and tissue engineering,
- Biomarkers and nanoparticles,
- DNA nanotechnology,
- Nanotoxicity.

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8. Miscellaneous and Interdisciplinary Topics

This track solicits contributions on nanoscience- and nanotechnology-related topics that are not explicitly covered in other Tracks. Some typical examples include, but not limited to:

- Quantum computing,
- Nano- and micro-fabrication techniques,
- High resolution imaging with scanning probes, ions, x-rays and photons,
- Thermal transport and heat exchange at nanoscale,
- Experiments at extreme environments (low/high temperatures, high vacuum or high pressures),
- Far from equilibrium phenomena,
- Recent advances in instrumentation development,
- Computational techniques relevant to nanoscale materials and new theoretical models,
- New nanomaterials and nanodevice concepts,
- Ethical, and societal issues in nanotechnology,
- Nanotech business and intellectual property aspects,
- National innovation policies and the globalization of nanotechnology.

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