The Frontiers in Materials Editorial Office team are delighted to present the inaugural “Frontiers in Materials: Rising Stars” article collection, showcasing the high-quality work of internationally recognized researchers in the early stages of their independent careers. All Rising Star researchers featured within this collection were individually nominated by the Journal’s Chief Editors in recognition of their potential to influence the future directions in their respective fields. The work presented here highlights the diversity of research performed across the entire breadth of the materials science and engineering field, and presents advances in theory, experiment and methodology with applications to compelling problems. This Editorial features the corresponding author(s) of each paper published within this important collection, ordered by section alphabetically, highlighting them as the great researchers of the future. The Frontiers in Materials Editorial Office team would like to thank each researcher who contributed their work to this collection. We would also like to personally thank our Chief Editors for their exemplary leadership of this article collection; their strong support and passion for this important, community-driven collection has ensured its success and global impact. Laurent Mathey, PhD Journal Development Manager

Solid catalysts play a fundamental role in all areas between basic research and industrial applications. This book offers a large amount of information about the preparation of solid catalysts. All types of solid catalysts and all important aspects of their preparation are discussed. The highly topical contributions are written by leading experts in disciplines ranging from solid state, interface and solution chemistry to industrial engineering. The straightforward presentation of the material and the comprehensive coverage make this book an essential and indispensible tool for every scientist and engineer working with solid catalysts.

Fuel cells are one of the most promising clean energy conversion devices that can solve the environmental and energy problems in our society. However, the high platinum loading of fuel cells - and thus their high cost - prevents their commercialization. Non- or low- platinum electrocatalysts are needed to lower the fuel cell cost. Electrocatalysis in Fuel Cells: A Non and Low Platinum Approach is a comprehensive book summarizing recent advances of electrocatalysis in oxygen reduction and alcohol oxidation, with a particular focus on non- and low-Pt electrocatalysts. All twenty four chapters were written by worldwide experts in their fields. The fundamentals and applications of novel electrocatalysts are discussed thoroughly in the book. The book is geared toward researchers in the field, postgraduate students and lecturers, and scientists and engineers at fuel cell and automotive companies. It can even be a reference book for those who are interested in this area.

This book presents a state-of-the-art overview of the research and development in designing electrode and electrolyte materials for Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors. Further, green energy production via the water splitting approach by the hydroelectric cell is also explored. Features include: • Provides details on the latest trends in design and optimization of electrode and electrolyte materials with key focus on enhancement of energy storage and conversion device performance • Focuses on existing nanostructured electrodes and polymer electrolytes for device fabrication, as well as new promising research routes toward the development of new materials for improving device performance • Features a dedicated chapter that explores electricity generation by dissociating water through hydroelectric cells, which are a nontoxic and green source of energy production • Describes challenges and offers a vision for next-generation devices This book is beneficial for advanced students and professionals working in energy storage across the disciplines of physics, materials science, chemistry, and chemical engineering. It is also a valuable reference for manufacturers of electrode/electrolyte materials for energy storage devices and hydroelectric cells.

Defects in Two-Dimensional Materials addresses the fundamental physics and chemistry of defects in 2D materials and their effects on physical, electrical and optical properties. The book explores 2D materials such as graphene, hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD). This knowledge will enable scientists and engineers to tune 2D materials properties to meet specific application requirements. The book reviews the techniques to characterize 2D material defects and compares the defects present in the various 2D materials (e.g. graphene, h-BN, TMDs, phosphorene, silicene, etc.). As two-dimensional materials research and development is a fast-growing field that could lead to many industrial applications, the primary objective of this book is to review, discuss and present opportunities in controlling defects in these materials to improve device performance in general or use the defects in a controlled way for novel applications. Presents the theory, physics and chemistry of 2D materials Catalogues defects of 2D materials and their impacts on materials properties and performance Reviews methods to characterize, control and engineer defects in 2D materials

The book is a multi-author survey (in 15 chapters) of the current state of knowledge and recent developments in our understanding of oxide surfaces. The author list includes most of the acknowledged world experts in this field. The material covered includes fundamental theory and experimental studies of the geometrical, vibrational and electronic structure of such surfaces, but with a special emphasis on the chemical properties and associated reactivity. The main focus is on metal oxides but coverage extends from 'simple' rocksalt materials such as MgO through to complex transition metal oxides with different valencies.

This book comprehensively describes the fundamentals of electrochemical water electrolysis as well as the latest materials and technological developments. It addresses a variety of topics such as electrochemical processes, materials, components, assembly and manufacturing, and degradation mechanisms, as well as challenges and strategies. It also includes an understanding of how materials and technologies for electrochemical water electrolysis have developed in recent years, and it describes the progress in improving performance and providing benefits to energy systems and applications. Features the most recent advances in electrochemical water electrolysis to produce hydrogen Discusses cutting-edge materials and technologies for electrochemical water electrolysis Includes both experimental and theoretical approaches that can be used to guide and promote materials as well as technological development for electrochemical water electrolysis Comprises work from international leading scientists active in electrochemical energy and environmental research and development Provides invaluable information that will benefit readers from both academia and industry With contributions from researchers at the top of their fields, the book includes in-depth discussions covering the engineering of components and applied devices, making this an essential read for scientists and engineers working in the development of electrochemical energy devices and related disciplines.