  We review the current status of the field of atom-surface interactions, with
an emphasis on the regimes specific to atom chips. Recent developments in
theory and experiment are highlighted. In particular, atom-surface interactions
define physical limits for miniaturization and coherent operation. This implies
constraints for applications in quantum information processing or matter wave
interferometry. We focus on atom-surface interaction potentials induced by
vacuum fluctuations (Van der Waals and Casimir-Polder forces), and on
transitions between atomic quantum states that are induced by thermally excited
magnetic near fields. Open questions and current challenges are sketched.
