Book excerpt: Fifty-seven papers examine the synthesis, characterization, and processing of nanoparticulate materials. Selected from the talks and posters given at the November symposium organized by the Materials Research Society, the papers look at applications in the areas of optics, magnetics, electronics, advanced energy storage, nano- dispersions, and biology. Major topics include methods for production of controlled size and shape of nanoparticles, ability to process nanoparticles to form uniform dispersions, directed assembly of nanoparticles at specific locations, large scale production, and surface control of nanoparticle materials for tailoring of specific properties. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR