Preface: phys. stat. sol. (b) 243/13

The 20th International Winterschool on Electronic Properties of Novel Materials (20th IWEPNM) was held in Kirchberg/Tirol on Molecular Nanostructures and extended from 4 to 11 March 2006. The first Winterschool of this type took place in March 1985. Except for the first two, all Winterschools were arranged in the lecture rooms of the Hotel Sonnalp in Kirchberg. The program of the Winterschool consisted of oral presentations, poster presentations, miniworkshops, and a special workshop on scientific supplies and industrial needs. Oral presentations of invited lecturers were scheduled for morning and evening sessions. The miniworkshops were arranged in the afternoon. Posters were presented in late evening sessions and covered various subjects in the field of molecular nanostructures. In this year IWEPNM was an anniversary as it was the 20th event of this type in Kirchberg. On occasion of this anniversary there was a special celebration on Wednesday night with a laudatio presented by Michael Mehring and a scientific contribution by Sumio Iijima. The lectures highlighted both the development of the special Kirchberg events and the scientific subjects presented there in recent years. Very unfortunately and to our deepest regret the IWEPNM2006 was overcast by the tragic loss the community experienced in fall 2005. Rick Smalley, one of the pioneers in the field of molecular nanostructures, passed away on 28 October 2005. Now he is not any more with us but he left behind an enormously rich and prosperous field for research and technology in the area of molecular nanostructures which we all gratefully appreciate and from which we all benefit. The presentations at the IWEPNM2006 were concerned with the mechanical and electronic properties of carbon nanotubes, graphene, fullerenes and fulleroides, ab initio calculations for molecular nanostructures, single molecule experiments, scanning electron microscopy of molecular nanostructures, applications, composites and chemistry of molecular nanostructures, molecular machines and molecular motors, and template grown molecular nanomaterials. The event benefited substantially from the 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 the support from the sponsors and supporters all the engagement and enthusiasm could have been wasted. We are very grateful to the manager of the Hotel Sonnalp, Frau Edith Mayer, and to her staff for local arrangements as well as for their patience with many special services during the meeting. Finally, special acknowledgements go to all contributors to the IWEPNM2006 and to Viera Skákalová for her efforts in compiling and editing the proceedings of the Winterschool 2006. Wien, Darmstadt, Stuttgart, Berlin 2006