The holding of an Advanced Study Institute on the topic of "Solid State Batteries" at this time represented a logical progression in a series of NATO-sponsored events. Summer Schools at Belgerati, Italy in 1972 and Ajaccio, Corsica in 1975 on the topic of "Solid -State IOllics" dealt with fundamental aspects of solid-state electro chemistry and materials science. The application of specific solid ionic conductors played a significant role in the Science Committee Institute on "Materials for Advanced Batteries" held at Aussois, France in 1979. Interest in these and related fields has grown...