1-D nanostructures (i.e., nanowires), especially those bottom-up synthesized via the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism, templating or other related growth modes, are promising building blocks for many existing and emerging applications. To date, significant progress has been made in controlling the morphology, structure, and composition of, as well as imparting nanoscale heterogeneity to, 1-D nanostructures. These synthetic advances have paralleled and enabled prototype devices that leverage, for example, the electronic, optoelectronic, electrochemical, and/or thermal properties of the nanostructure. However, myriad materials and device challenges still preclude the commercial use of complex 1-D nanostructures in many exciting application areas. Questions remain about the ability to assemble 1-D nanostructures into more complex superstructures and/or functional systems. To stay relevant, the field must recommit itself to breaking through old barriers and opening new research avenues, including new classes of materials.
This symposium will define the research challenges and opportunities of the next decade and begin to identify avenues to advance the state-of-the-art. There will be a particular focus on translating 1-D nanostructures from the laboratory into viable technologies, developing and advancing important areas of study, and highlighting innovative new research directions. As the study of 1-D nanostructures spans the fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology, the research community is inherently interdisciplinary. However, by including researchers from related, but distinct subareas (e.g., nanowires, nanotubes, colloidal 1-D nanocrystals) this symposium will maximize the generation and cross-pollination of new ideas.
The following topics are of particular interest: (i) Experimental probes of 1-D nanostructure growth, structure, or properties in situ or in otherwise novel ways and with improved spatial and temporal resolution; (ii) methods that dramatically improve the fabrication throughput and purities of the resulting ensembles for both homogeneous and heterogeneous 1-D nanostructures; (iii) syntheses that enable new materials, compositions, or geometries are of interest, as are methods that direct the organization of 1-D nanostructures into interconnected networks and/or hierarchical superstructures. Contributions are also sought that advance understanding and control of 1-D nanostructure properties, such as quantum behavior, thermal transport and biological compatibility for emerging application areas, or any research area where 1-D nanostructures show promise relative to competing technologies.

chemical composition crystallographic structure electronic material energy generation nanoscale