Feeling overwhelmed already? Then make sure to check out the show's online planner to draw up the ultimate itinerary before you arrive.
Hot topics and key speakers
Energy has been one of the big talking points on the conference circuit this year and the topic is sure to get a mention at this year's MRS Fall Meeting. In fact, it sounds like Steven Chu, winner of the 1997 Nobel prize in physics, is going to tackle the issue head on in his plenary talk – The world's energy problem and what we can do about it.
Turning to the program in detail, delegates can expect an update in tracing forces between individual atoms by AFM, from tuning fork maestro Franz Giessibl.
Nanogyroscopes have captured the imagination of Ernesto Joselevich, a former member of Charles Lieber's group at Harvard University. Joselevich will be on hand to explain how twisted carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could be used to guide miniature flying objects.
Staying with CNTs, George Gruner will expand on the concept of a CNT network as a new electronic material, giving examples of its use in transparent electrodes and in solar cells.
Speakers are likely to address a wide range of applications at the show from the preservation of archaeological treasures to enhanced water purification. The latter is the subject of Olgica Bakajin's work, which exploits the anomalous properties of water in nanoscale confined spaces, such as CNTs. Bakajin will explain how the approach could ultimately lead to more economical desalination processes.
For a complete list of talks at this year's MRS Fall Meeting, click here.
Tools of the trade
This year's exhibition space is sold out, which means that visitors can expect to find the latest products and services from around 250 organizations worldwide. It's a chance to talk face-to-face with the developers to find out much more about tools, such as scanning probe microscopes, CNT reactors, deposition equipment, vacuum systems and nanopositioners.
Time for a pit stop?
Look out for the hydrogen fuel cell model car challenge, which promises to be one of the meeting's more action packed events. Make sure to be trackside at the Hynes Convention Centre (Level 3) to see vehicles being designed, built and then raced around Ballroom B.
• Show blog
To get the scoop on this year's MRS Fall Meeting from the convenience of your workstation, laptop or smartphone, don't forget to check out nanotechweb's show blog from Monday 26 November 2007.