In recent years, fundamental and applied scientific research on alternative energy sources has received more attention from the Mexican Government, through the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT). This shift in strategy seeks for alternatives for an oil-dependent economy, and is related to the negative trend in oil production at the main oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico. Thus, the opportunities for technology development, transfer or adaptation, are becoming increasingly attractive for sun, wind, hydrogen and fuel cells systems. In this scenario, the Mexican Hydrogen Society (SMH, Sociedad Mexicana del Hidrogeno), has played a key role in promoting the collaborative work among researchers, government officials and industry representatives through innovative projects and the dissemination of knowledge in novel H2 and fuel cell technologies. Founded ten years ago, the SMH celebrates an annual meeting and short course on hydrogen technologies, as well as multiple academic events around the calendar. Held in Saltillo, capital City of the northern state of Coahuila, September 21-22, 2009, the IX Congress of the SMH brought together over 140 delegates from Mexico, USA, Canada, France, Cuba, Spain, Brazil and Venezuela. The latest advances in hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells (PEMFCs, DAFCs, Microbial Fuel Cells, SOFCs and Integrated Fuel Cell systems), government poli- cies, novel energetic materials, climate change and environment were discussed during the meeting. The plenary lectures were delivered by Prof. John Turner, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA); Prof. Oumarou Savadogo, from the Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal (Canada); Prof. Teko Napporn, from the Universite de Poitiers (France); Prof. Omar Solorza Feria, from the Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados –Cinvestav- at Zacatenco and Prof. Antonio Fernandez Fuentes, from Cinvestav at Saltillo, (Mexico). The Congress included 91 oral presentations, short communications and poster session. This issue of the Journal of New Materials for Electrochemical Systems is the third from the series of special issues of selected papers presented at SMH Congresses. The SMH wishes to extend its gratitude to all that have given their time and effort. We also extend special thanks to Prof. O. Sava- dogo for his support in publishing it. The X Congress of the SMH will be held September 27 to October 1, 2010, at Toluca, Mexico State, Mexico (more information at www.smh.org.mx). We look forward to seeing you there. Special Issue Selected Papers of the IX International Congress of the Mexican Hydrogen Society September 21-25, 2009 Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico