Symposium Z, 'Oxide Semiconductors', and Symposium F, 'Oxide Thin Films for Renewable Energy Applications', were held November 25-30 at the 2012 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. Oxide materials are attracting considerable attention both as semiconductors for a wide range of potential device applications but also in energy research spanning from photo- and electro-catalysis, to electrolytes and electrodes used in batteries or fuel cells. This symposium proceedings volume collects recent reports from the meeting aimed at providing a fundamental understanding of bulk oxide materials as well as thin films and nano-structures. The topics covered in this volume are quite broad and include such areas as growth and doping, defects and characterisation, and device applications.

Zinc oxide and related compound semiconductors (CdO, BeO and MgO) have drawn considerable interest in recent years due to their suitability for visible and UV light emitters and detectors, as well as for high-temperature electronics. Besides having unique optical properties, its persistence against radiation also makes ZnO attractive for space applications. This book, the third in a popular new series from MRS, focuses on fundamental materials science issues as well as device design, processing, and technology of photonic and electronic devices including light-emitting diodes and gas, chemical and biosensors. Emphasis this year is also on the recent successes of ZnO as RF transistor and laser diode material. Topics include: devices; doping; electronic and optical properties; electric and magnetic properties; growth; nanostructures; optical properties and devices; and TCO and TFT.