Technologically, nanoscale assemblies with highly ordered nanoscale building blocks such as quantum dots and nanowires have shown remarkable optical, electronic, magnetic, and mechanical properties that have a wide range of applications. However, such nanoscale building blocks must be fabricated on a surface or through an interface, and these processes are usually far from equilibrium. Scientifically, as sizes decrease, interfacial properties become crucial or even dominant. Furthermore, theories for surfaces and interfaces of bulk materials must be reworked for surfaces and interfaces in nanoscale systems.

Dynamical surface properties of crystals, such as fluctuations, nucleation, coarsening, and mass and charge transport, are often very complex. There exists no single theory or model that can predict all such properties. Experiments have provided observations and data that can guide and stimulate theoretical inquiries. Theories and simulation tools have to be developed to treat surface properties distinguished by multiple length and time scales. A considerable effort has been made in: (a) novel experimental techniques to probe surface properties at the nanoscale, and (b) analytical studies using approaches ranging from first-principles calculations and kinetic Monte Carlo simulations to coarse-grained continuum models. Theoretical descriptions at different scales must be reconciled, and their relation to experimental observations must be studied in detail.

The past few years have witnessed the important role of applied mathematics in research on surface dynamics. Contributions from applied mathematics include rigorous derivation of analytical models, multiscale analysis, model reduction, the design of numerical techniques for very large systems etc. It is clear that this trend will continue. Precise mathematical concepts, quantitative mathematical theories, and innovative simulation techniques should continue to be developed for interfacial and surface properties in complex systems.

At the same time experimental techniques become more advanced. The motion of small defects can now be monitored quite precisely. The role of such defects in the macroscopic evolution of surfaces and interfaces can be demonstrated in the laboratory setting.

This program will bring together leading physicists, materials scientists, computational scientists, and applied mathematicians to: review the recent developments in research on materials surfaces and interfaces, from experimental highlights to theory to simulation; identify critical scientific issues in the understanding of the fundamental principles and basic mechanisms of interface and surface dynamics in crystalline systems far from equilibrium; accelerate the interaction of applied mathematics with physics and materials science, and promote highly interdisciplinary research on new materials interface and surface problems with emerging novel applications; develop and foster international collaborations; and initiate the training of research task force for the grand challenge in nanoscience.