Solid state chemistry is a multidisciplinary field that deals with the synthesis, structural characterization and properties of various solids, and it has been playing a more and more important role in the design and preparation of advanced materials. This book includes the excellent research results recently obtained by a wide spectrum of solid state chemists both from China and from abroad. Among the distinguished contributors are C N R Rao, M Greenblatt and YT Qian, to name a few. A variety of subjects representing the frontiers of solid state chemistry -- which are categorized into solids with electrical, optical and magnetic properties; porous solids and catalysts; hybrid inorganic -- organic solids; solid nanomaterials; and new synthetic methods and theory -- are presented, This book will benefit readers who are interested in the chemistry and physics of solids, as well as materials scientists and engineers.