During six months from April to September 1994, the author visited 42 laboratories in eight different European countries involved with research in nanostructures. The scientific thrusts point the way to new methods and properties of matter that may provide useful information. The potential applications of research in this field are likely to be found in information technology, sensors, and new materials, replete with the implications for many industrial interests. It is a suitable topic for the recently introduced 'focused technical assessment' activities of the Office of Naval Research Europe where the coordination for this effort was focused. Overviews of multidisciplinary efforts in fields of physics, electrical engineering, materials, chemistry, and biology are presented.