Fuel cells is an area of scientific research that presently merits a Gordon Conference unto itself. This research is related to challenging scientific problems in areas of materials science, interfacial science, transport phenomena, electrocatalysis and heterogeneous catalysis. Subjects at the frontier of the field are:

• preparation of multilayered thin film structures with effective interfacial characteristics
• heterogeneous catalysis at low temperature under adverse conditions of severe surface contamination
• subtle effects of metal particle size and metal crystal structure on electrocatalysis in the nanometer range of particle sizes
• heterogeneous catalysis in non-steady state systems for the reforming of liquid fuels to hydrogen
• transport phenomena in complex materials including ion conducting membranes and porous layers of mixedhydrophilic/hydrophobic surface characteristics
• water interaction with polymeric surfaces, and more

The relevance is almost self evident.The subject has spread in the last few years with ever increasing rapidity. As of now several of the biggest industrial corporations and research institutions all over the globe have begun or augmented research efforts on the subject. Among these are the American, German, Japanese and other automotive companies (GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Daimler Benz, BMW, Mazda, Fiat and several others); energy companies (Mobil, Amoco, Shell); equipment companies (Siemens, ABB, Alsthom, United Technologies, Westinghouse, Ballard); government laboratories (Los Alamos, Lawrence Berkeley, Argonne), contract laboratories (SRI, ADL). With the support from Government granting agencies (DOE, DARPA, NSF) interested in furthering the subject, research funds have spurred academic work. It is a conference that will contribute to reversing the prevailing trend of decreasing participation of industrial scientists in GCR.