There are numerous exchanges and collaborations in the field of science and education between the transalpine regions of France, Switzerland and Italy. This is particularly true of the growing field of Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies which is the subject of very active and promising local developments involving academic and industrial research centres. In particular, the Centre of Competences in Nanosciences in Rhône-Alpes ("C'NANO"), the Regional Cluster for Research "MicroNano", the Nanosciences foundation of Grenoble, the National Centre of Competences in Research in Switzerland and the National Institute of Condensed Matter Physics in Italy, complemented on the European level in the framework of the NanoSci-Era network, are creating together a dynamic effort in this field. Moreover, in the field of education an international Master in Micro and Nanotechnologies is operated jointly by the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne, the Politecnico in Torino and the Institut Polytechnique in Grenoble.

   It is within this favourable general context that the first Transalpine Conference in Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies (Transalp'nano 2008) is being organised. Its main objectives are
  - to bring together the neighbouring scientific communities
    - to promote the exchanges and collaborations to well visible and recognized international statures within the near future. Taking into account the strong potential of laboratories working in the field of Nanoscience in the transalpine regions, an attendance of 250 to 300 participants is expected. Particular efforts are devoted to the promotion of participation by young researchers and PhD students.

   Scientific Programme
   Among the various subjects constituting the large field of Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies, 6 themes which are the subject of high level research and development work in the transalpine regions are considered for this first conference:

• Nanoelectronics
• Nanomagnetism and Spintronics
• Nanophotonics
• Nanochemistry, Nanomaterials
• Nanobioscience and Nanomedecine
• Nano and Society

   Conference format
   The meeting will take place in the Scientific Domain so called "La Doua", in Villeurbanne (see map) from monday, October 27th to wednesday, October 29th, 2008 (see agenda).
The agenda of the meeting includes oral sessions introduced by invited speakers, followed by short presentations selected by the Scientific Committee from the submitted extended abstracts. Also, a poster session will be organized. The language will be English.
All the abstracts selected for oral or poster presentations will be published in the abstract book available on arrival as well as in electronic form which can be downloaded from the web site.
Lunches included in the registration fees will be served on site during the meeting. A dinner is also included in the registration fees; It will be organized on Tuesday, October 28th on a river boat to offer nice views of the city of Lyon from the Rhone and Saone rivers.