Symposium XX, 'Microelectromechanical Systems - Materials and Devices', held from December 2 to December 4, 2013, at the MRS fall meeting, explored the fabrication, integration, characterization, and application of small-scale electro-mechanical, thermal, magnetic, fluidic, and optical sensors and actuators. Symposium SS, 'Nanowires and Nanotubes - Novel Materials, Advanced Heterostructures, Doping and Devices', was held from December 1 to December 6, 2013, at the MRS fall meeting, and explored the synthesis and properties not only of bare nanowires and nanotubes of one material, but also of more sophisticated structures such as inorganic/organic core/shell nanowires.