Our laboratory has been exploring new methods for directly depositing conducting polymers onto active metals (such as aluminum and its alloys). Electron transfer mediation is used to lower the potential for polymer electrodeposition, thereby avoiding concomitant oxidation (corrosion) of the metal. Current efficiencies of nearly 100% for polymer deposition have been obtained. An overview of our work in this area is provided in this report. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.