Intermetallic compounds are in the focus of solid-state research for a wide range of future applications, e.g. in heterogeneous catalysis, for thermoelectric generators, and basic research of quantum critical effects. A comprehensive overview is given on various crystal growth techniques that are particularly adopted to intermetallic phases. Experienced authors from leading institutes give detailed descriptions of the specific problems in crystal growth of intermetallic compounds and approaches to solve them.

Symposium B, 'Thermoelectric Materials Research and Device Development for Power Conversion and Refrigeration', held from November 26-30 at the 2012 MRS Fall Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, was the tenth in a series of symposia on state-of-the-art materials and technologies for direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion that produced proceedings with primary focus on material and technological advances of thermoelectrics and thermionics (see MRS Proceedings volumes 234, 478, 545, 626, 691, 793, 886, 1044 and 1166). In this symposium there were 263 contributed presentations, the largest by far at the MRS, including 10 invited talks and 168 poster presentations. These presentations were given from researchers from academia, national laboratories, and industry in the United States, Asia and Europe. The symposia covered a broad range of topics in the areas of materials, measurement techniques, and device development. This volume provides an overview of the exciting recent developments in the field.

Increasing awareness and concern for energy resources and the environment have stimulated significant advances in materials and technology for energy conversion in recent years. This volume, the ninth in a popular series, focuses on novel materials, materials processing and device technologies for direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion, and emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of research needed to advance the field. The volume begins with an overview of the state of the art in high-temperature thermoelectric materials by Harald Bottner. The section on nanocomposite materials includes an overview on bulk nanostructured materials, one of the most highly investigated areas in the thermoelectric community, by Mildred Dresselhaus. A third overview article, by Peter Rogl, addresses the potential of inverse clathrates for thermoelectric applications. Additional topics include: applications and devices; nanocomposite and nanostructured materials; theoretical investigations; bulk materials and oxide materials.

Increasing awareness and concern for energy resources and the environment have stimulated significant advances in materials and technology for energy conversion in recent years. This volume, the ninth in a popular series, focuses on novel materials, materials processing and device technologies for direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion, and emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of research needed to advance the field. The volume begins with an overview of the state of the art in high-temperature thermoelectric materials by Harald Bottner. The section on nanocomposite materials includes an overview on bulk nanostructured materials, one of the most highly investigated areas in the thermoelectric community, by Mildred Dresselhaus. A third overview article, by Peter Rogl, addresses the potential of inverse clathrates for thermoelectric applications. Additional topics include: applications and devices; nanocomposite and nanostructured materials; theoretical investigations; bulk materials and oxide materials."