Topical issue on "Advances in Surface Science" dedicated to Prof. Andrea Levi, on the occasion of his 72nd birthday and of his retirement

We are pleased to present this topical issue on "Advances in Surface Science" dedicated to Prof. Andrea Levi, on the occasion of his 72nd birthday and of his retirement. This issue aims to cover the most important and active research topics within the realm of surface science, ranging from surface phase transitions, surface magnetism and electronic states, to adsorption and catalysis, nanowires and nanoparticles. Both experimental and theory/modelling contributions are included. This topical issue also includes some invited contributions from past co-workers of Prof. Levi. We hope that this special issue will help the readers in capturing several aspects at the forefront of surface science, which is a very lively subject for both fundamental and applied research.