Prof. Pedro Gómez-Romero Group Leader of the NEO-Energy lab at CIN2 (CSIC-ICN) (2007-),is also Vice-director of MATGAS since October 2010. His group wide research interests span fundamental and applied research, including work on hybrid organic-inorganic nanostructures and nanocomposite materials for energy storage and conversion. Among these, the group has a wide experience on PEM Fuel Cells, rechargeable lithium batteries andsupercapacitors.

Pedro got his B.Sc. and Ms Sc. Degrees from Universidad de Valencia, Spain, and a Ph.D. in Chemistry at Georgetown University, USA, 1987, (with Distinction). He joined CSIC as Researcher in 1990 (ICMAB, 1990-2007), and took a sabbatical year as a NATO Senior Research Fellow at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO, USA, 1998-99). He is full Research Professor since 2006. He was Head of the Solid State Chemistry and Crystallography Department at ICMAB (2004-2006) and Chairman of the Catalan Fuel Cells Network (Red Temática)(2003-2005).

Prof. Gómez-Romero is the author of more than 150 scientific publications in refereed international journals and Scientific editor of the book "Functional Hybrid Materials" P. Gómez-Romero, C. Sanchez (Eds.) (Wiley-VCH 2004) and author of two award-winning popular science books. (“Metaevolución. La Tierra en el espejo” Celeste, 2001 and “Un planeta en busca de energía” Síntesis, 2007) as well as many other contributions to the social communication of Science. He has mentored nine PhD students as well as many Masters and visiting foreign students.

Dr. Christophe Coutanceau obtained hisPh.D. from the University of Poitiers in 1994 with the thesis entitled:“Oxygen Reduction Reaction on metal phthalocyanines dispersed at the molecular level in an electronic conductive polymer”. He obtained his master of Applied Chemistry, in 1991 from the University of Poitiers, during which he had 6-month training at the Leiden University, in The Netherlands.

His research experience covers works with zeolites and Pt and Pt-Ru catalysts in Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisboan, Portugal and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, respectively. From 1998 to 2005 he worked as assistant professor in the University of Poitiers, laboratory of Catalysis in organic Chemistry working on electrocatalysis: oxidation of small organic molecules, reduction of oxygen, conception of fuel cell electrodes and reaction mechanisms involved in direct alcohol fuel cells.

Since2005, Dr. Christophe Coutanceau works as Professor in the University of Poitiers, laboratory of Catalysis in organic Chemistry, developing new research topics such as synthesis, characterization and electrochemical study of nanoparticles with narrow size and shape distribution; catalyst substrate modifications by grafting of molecule having specific properties; andoxidation of alcohols and polyols in solid alkaline membrane fuel cell.

He has 75 papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals, 80 communications in posters, oral sessions including 22 invited conferences, as well as, 5 book chapters.

University of Poitiers, France. Development of catalysts for the valorization of glycerol in Alkaline Membrane Direct Alcohol Electrochemical Cells.

Dr. Titichai Navessin has expertise in the field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), particularly on the topics of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication and integration of novel catalysts and membrane materials into MEA in order to evaluate their performance and commercialization potentials. Dr. Navessin developed a state-ofthe- art MEA fabrication technique using automated spray coating technology in order to optimize the quality and reproducibility of catalyst layers and microporous layers manufactured for RD&D (research, development and demonstration) purposes. He has authored and co-authored more than 20 peer reviewed articles in high impact-factor.

At National Research Council, Dr. Navessin manages many successful collaborative projects involving partners from small start-up fuel cell companies, international automotive firms, universities and federal government laboratories. Currently Dr. Navessin serves as the Technical Theme Leader for the National H2 and Fuel Cell Program –Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Technology Development Project, which is a tri-party collaborative program including 3 Canadian universities, 2 fuel cell companies and 3 federal government departments. Dr. Navessin oversees the program coordination involving a network of 4 university professors, 14 PhD/Meng researchers and 4 graduate students. This program develops key catalyst materials that can help closing the technical gaps for commercialization of PEMFC. Dr. Navessin had served as an invited technical reviewer for several globally competitive organizations such as: US-Department of Energy (US-DOE) and National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). He also participated as a member of organizing committee and sessional chair for the International Hydrogen & Fuel Cells Conferences, Vancouver (2007 and 2009), and for the Fuel Cell Symposium, Met. Soc. conference, Calgary (2005).

Education: Dr. Navessin received his BSc with first class honours in Chemistry from Imperial College, London, UK in 1999. He obtained his PhD in Electrochemistry of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell from Simon Fraser University, Canada, in 2004. His PhD project has been awarded by several funding sources from 2001 to 2004. During his full-time employment at National Research Council, Dr. Navessin also completed a part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program from the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia in 2009-2011. He is the recipient of the British Columbia Innovation Council (BCIC) Commercialization Scholarship for 2010 in recognition of outstanding academic and entrepreneurial achievements.

National Research Council–Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation, Canada. PEMFC´s and R&D on MEA´s: fabrication technique and integration based on novel materials.

Brief outline: The presentation provides some insights into an R&D program in Canada. It will explore why PEM Fuel Cell operating with H2 is a compelling solution for the future energy conversion and cleaner transportation. The aspect of the commercialization barriers and the technology cost analysis will be discussed -which will lead to suggestions on: what could be the key cost barrier to commercialization; where a concerted efforts are required; and what is the role of the government in the joint R&D program. Introducing National Research Council. The joint R&D program: what are the mutual benefits to all participants. I will also present the highlights on some technological achievements. The ending note will touch on our vision in looking forward to expanding the network and partnership.

"Federal Renewable Energy Policies"

Odón Demófilo de Buen Rodríguez is a Mechanical Electrical Engineer from the National University of Mexico and holds a Masters degree in Energy and Resources from the University of California in Berkley, USA.

His vast working experience covers different areas from academy to analist and consultor. He worked in the School of Engineering at the National University of Mexico and was principal research associate at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. In 1985, he worked as analyst for Comisión Federal de Electricidad. From 1993 to 1995 he worked as an International consulter working with Natural Resources Defense Council and North America Commission for the Environmental Cooperation from 1995 to 2003 he was Director of the National Energy Savings Commission of Mexico. He also has been editor of an electronic journal and web site on Energy Transition related topics.

Currently, he is professor at the Engineering Faculty at the National University of Mexico and is president of Energía Tecnología y Educación, S.C.