the materials science and technology 2009 conference and exhibition (ms09) was held october 25-29, 2009, in pittsburgh, pennsylvania. a major theme of the conference was environmental and energy issues. papers from three of the symposia held under that theme are included in this volume. these symposia include materials solutions for the nuclear renaissance; green engineering and environmental stewardship; and nanotechnology for energy. these symposia included a variety of presentations with sessions focused on sustainable energy, photovoltaics, nanowires and composites, energy harvesting, catalysts, thin films, corrosion, nuclear fuels, materials in aggressive environments, glass and ceramics for waste disposition, modeling and thermal properties, and education. also included was a series of invited presentations and an international panel discussion on cement waste forms. the green engineering and environmental stewardship symposium was sponsored by the nuclear and environmental technology division (netd) of the american ceramic society while the materials solutions for the nuclear renaissance symposium was sponsored by netd and asm international.