The ability to control material composition at the nanometer–scale is opening many new opportunities and challenges.  In particular, advanced nanometer–scale thin films have applications in optics, microelectronic systems, protective coatings, selective permeation and gas barrier layers, photovoltaic energy conversion devices, quantum well structures, and many others.  There is also growing interest in nanostructure fabrication and surface modification strategies for nanostructured photovoltaics, fuel cells, advanced water purification systems, biological separation and sensing devices, and environmental and health monitoring. Some of the key challenges for future nano–scale thin film materials and surface modification include the following:

• What new types of materials, including electro–active polymers or organic/inorganic hybrid materials can be deposited and processed with controlled composition?
• What surface chemistry can be used to control the atomic composition and function of new material structures?  
• How can the interface junction between two very dissimilar thin film materials be controlled at the atomic scale?  
• Can processing temperatures be maintained near room temperature eliminate possible thermal damage to materials to be coated?  
• How can uniformity and conformality be routinely achieved at the nano– or monolayer–scale over large deposition areas?