The invention of scanning probe microscopy has allowed the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules aiming at forming nanometric functional systems that will be the cornerstone of Nanoscience. In this paper we present some examples of atomic manipulation, starting from the seminal work by Eigler for Xe on Ni and following with recent experiments on semiconducting surfaces carried out by some Spanish researchers. Finally it is shown how the creation of a few defects by Ar+ irradiation on metallic carbon nanotubes allows to tune their conductance.

Nano-photonics is a field of research devoted to analyze the generation, control and detection of light at scales of the order of or smaller that its wavelength. Also it studies the interaction of light with matter at those scales. In particular, their goals and more important challenges have to do with phenomena in which either the radiation or the matter are confined at sub-micrometer dimensions. In this review paper, we describe three different areas of investigation which have emerged during the last ten-fifteen years: photonic crystals, magneto-photonics and plasmonics.

This is a revision of the nanostructured materials’ magnetic properties, and, particularly, of the nanoparticles. Huge changes in the magnetic materials’ properties arise when its size is reduced to a few nanometers. Also, due to this size effects, some non-ferromagnetic materials in massive state adopt a ferromagnetic behavior when are reduced to the nanoparticles state. Finally, some applications of the magnetic nanoparticles in biomedicine are showed.

Nanosciences and nanotechnologies are new research and development areas whose objective is to control the matter behavior and fundamental structure at an atomic and molecular level. These disciplines open the doors to the comprehension of new phenomena and to the discovery of new properties that may be used either at a macroscopic or a microscopic scale. The nanotechnologies applications are more and more visible every year and their impact will soon reflect in our way of life. This paper synthesizes the main conclusions of the report “Nanotechnology in Spain”, where the situation of nanotechnologies in Spain is described, analyzed and studied.

During the last decade there has been an uprising interest for the concept of “cluster”, and, in particular, the concept of “technology cluster” in discussions about industrial policy and local development. And this interest is reinforced by the successful experiences in many regions, both in Europe and in other regions of the world. This article proposes a methodology for the identification of technology clusters as an innovative policy for regional development and promotion. The application of this methodology to the Community of Madrid brings out its location and resouce allocation advantages, knowledge and infrastructure endowments, and its complex and dynamic industrial network. All these factors make Madrid qualify for the development of some specific technology clusters.

Although the modern economy is a mosaic of interdependent production systems, these are developed supported in economies of mass and transactions, and impelled by actions and public institutions that implement science and technology politics to regional or national scale.
In this development context they emerge new areas for the investigation, technological development and innovation that in this new industrialization process they have particular characteristics.
When we analyze the evolution of the economy, technology and industry, the transformation of the urban areas from the central city toward less urban areas is an indispensable point of view. The city concept has two meanings, one temporary and other spacial, in its relationships with other areas in those that we exercise a great influence. This paper examine an tecnopolitan area of Japan in connection with the changes organized in big areas of metropolitan type, like it is the case of Chubu -area of Nagoya- located in the central region of Japan. The first block outlines the importance of the science and the technology in the new development. Next, I approach the cities of the science with their main characteristics. And lastly the functions and roles of the Japanese tecnópolis are approached. The pages that continue and the data have been picked up in situ during continuous stays carried out in the last years.