From the Workshop Organizers

The joint events Silesian–Saxony Workshop on Synthesis and Analysis of Nanomaterials and Nanostructures and III Czech-Silesian-Saxony Mechanics Colloquium were organized by the Centre of Excellence “Sol-Gel Materials and Nanotechnology” located at Wrocław University of Technology and AMD Saxony LLC & Co. KG, Dresden, Germany. The workshop was a unique event in more than one aspect. It bridged apparently divergent topics: sol-gel chemistry, materials characterization, as well as various aspects of electronic and optical devices (material, mechanical, etc.) and brought together specialists of various backgrounds (physicists, chemists, material scientists), affiliations (academia and industry) and countries. The latter aspect is worth commenting. Participants came from 3 cities such as Dresden, Prague, and Wrocław, forming a regular triangle on the map. These three cities are very close to each other, not only geographically. Their populations share the same region of Europe as well as very similar challenges, hopes, and problems. We are convinced that meetings like this one will help to stimulate both pan-border research (fundamental and applied) and transfer of results to the industries of the countries involved.