The workshop on ‘Nanostructured Materials for Sorption, Separation and Catalysis’ held in Antwerp on 4-5 October 2010 is the 1st International Workshop of the European Nanoporous Materials Institute of Excellence (ENMIX). The ENMIX organisation has arisen from the EU-FP6 Network of Excellence (NoE) ‘IN-Situ Study and Development of NanoPORouS Materials’ (INSIDE-PORes), assembling European research groups in a coherent field of activities related to nanoporous materials.

Nanoporous materials play an increasingly important role in nowadays knowledge based society, as they can replace traditional materials and lead to a generation of new ones. Nanosciences are widely seen as a multi-disciplinary and integrative field having large potential for improving sustainable development across a wide range of industrial sectors. Due to the unique structural and surface physicochemical properties, nanoporous materials are used as catalysts, sorbents and membranes. The complete characterisation and scientific knowledge of the structure of porous solids is still a challenge and is one of the major objectives of the workshop.

The workshop scientific programme is set up around four different topics: synthesis, catalysis, sorption and membranes. These are also the four scientific pillars of Inside-Pores and ENMIX. Invited lectures will be given by eminent specialists in the field. In addition, there will be scientific contributions in the form of oral and poster presentations. Two prizes for best poster presentations will be awarded.

We look forward to provide you with an interesting scientific programme and to organise a workshop that will stimulate the exchange and collaboration between young researchers. There will be time for discussions during lunch and coffee breaks, the poster sessions and the social dinner on Monday evening. All scientists working in the field of nanoporous materials are invited to participate in the workshop. Your active participation and contributions are highly appreciated.

The organisation of the 1st International Workshop is made possible thanks to the support of ENMIX (European Nanoporous Materials Institute of Excellence), FWO (Fund for Scientific Research, Flanders, Belgium) and the FWO-WOG (Scientific Research Community on Catalysis in Flanders, Belgium).

The organising committee wishes you a pleasant and fruitful workshop on ‘Nanostructured Materials for Sorption, Separation and Catalysis’ in Antwerp!