This book surveys the key developments in the science and engineering of the state-of-the-art materials for clean energy. The book provides a broad overview of materials for photovoltaics, solar energy conversion, thermoelectrics, piezoelectrics, supercapacitors, rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, and hydrogen production and storage. Each of these topics is covered by an experienced international group of contributors, all of whom are experts in their respective fields. This is a valuable resource for readers wanting to delve into research for maximizing the efficiency of alternative energy approaches.

Qiang Xu is a chief senior researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and adjunct professor at Kobe University in Japan. He received his PhD in physical chemistry in 1994 from Osaka University in Japan. After working as a postdoctoral fellow at Osaka University, he became a research scientist at the Osaka National Research Institute (ONRI). Dr. Xu's research interests include porous materials and nanostructured materials and related functional applications, especially for clean energy.

Tetsuhiko Kobayashi is the director general for Environment and Energy Research at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan. He received his PhD in electrochemistry from Osaka University in Japan. After working as a JSPS postdoctoral fellow at Osaka University, he became a research scientist at the Government Industrial Research Institute of Osaka (GIRIO). He worked as group leader at the Osaka National Research Institute (ONRI) and as director of the Special Division for Green Life Technology, Research Institute for Ubiquitous Energy Devices, and Kansai Research Center in the AIST. He also worked as a guest professor in Kyoto, Kobe, and Osaka Universities. Dr. Kobayashi's research interests include electrochemistry, catalytic chemistry, and materials chemistry, especially for clean energy applications.

Arylamine-Based Photosensitizing Metal Complexes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. p-Type Small Electron-Donating Molecules for Organic Heterojunction Solar Cells. Inorganic Materials for Solar Cell Applications. Development of Thermoelectric Technology from Materials to Generators. Piezoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting. Advanced Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Capacitors. Electrode Materials for Nickel/Metal Hydride (Ni/MH) Rechargeable Batteries. Electrode Materials for Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries. All-Solid-State Rechargeable Batteries. New Trend in Liquid Electrolytes for Electrochemical Energy Devices. Organic Electrode Active Materials for Rechargeable Batteries: Recent Development and Future Prospects. Materials for Metal-Air Batteries. Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Production. Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction. Materials for Reversible High-Capacity Hydrogen Storage. Ammonia-Based Hydrogen Storage Materials. Progress in Cathode Catalysts for PEFC. Fundamentals and Materials Aspects of Direct Liquid Fuel Cells. Developments in Electrodes, Membranes, and Electrolytes for Direct Borohydride Fuel Cells. Index.