ope (Georgetown U.) and Muller (U. of Bielefeld) incorporate 25 contributions from leading polyoxometalate scientists that provide an introduction to new applications and devices in the field. Topics include synthetic strategies leading to functionalized organic polyoxometalate derivatives, oxothioanions, and supramolecular assemblies; solution equilibria pertinent to the bleaching of kraft pulp; molecular growth from discrete anions to framework materials, nanodevices and thin films via self-assembly processes; energy transfer; solid-state optical and magnetic properties, selective homogeneous and nanocluster-based catalytic applications; photocatalytic decontamination of water resources; and structural crystallography of the ribosome.