Superconductivity has been transformed into a rich field of intensive and highly competitive research, encompassing diverse disciplines such as structural chemistry, ceramic engineering, metallurgy, solid state electronics as well as experimental and theoretical condensed matter physics. The high temperature superconductors (HTSCs) discovered are from the family of ceramic oxides. Their large scale utilisation in electrical utilities and in microelectronic devices are challenges which can perhaps be effectively met only through consolidated efforts and expertise of a multidisciplinary nature. The growth of the new field has occurred on an international scale and perhaps has been more rapid than in most other fields. Each chapter in these volumes comprises a detailed review or an extended paper focussing on one or more of the aspects of research and applications, including state-of-art technology pertaining to HTSCs.