Description

In this issue of High-Tech Materials TOE, innovative technology developers and market forces shaping the functional materials industry have been identified. Material development has progressed significantly in the past 5 years enabled by new possibilities in achieving structural changes at the atomic structure level, which has helped scientists incorporate functional capabilities on traditional materials that can transform a wide range of industries. Innovative approaches to engineer these high value functionalities have unlocked opportunities for building material companies, aerospace component manufacturers, solar photovoltaic producers, and healthcare providers.

The High-Tech Materials TechVision Opportunity Engine (TOE) provides intelligence on technologies, products, processes, applications, and strategic insights on various materials across industries. Some material technologies include lightweight materials, bio–based materials, ceramics, smart materials, fibers, nanomaterials, responsive materials, polymers, woven and non woven materials, polymers and plastics and packaging materials.

The Chemicals and Advanced Materials cluster tracks research and innovation trends and developments across specialty chemicals, plastics, polymers, chemicals, bio-chemicals, metals, coatings, thinfilms, surface treatments, composites, alloys, oil and gas, fuel additives, fibers, and several other related technologies and its impact and application across industries.

Key words: Shape changing, auxetic, metamaterials, cementitious composite, construction, military, plasmonic absorber, liquid crystal elastomer, semiconducting polymer