The master key: structural science in unlocking functional materials advancements

From the historical roots of metalworking to the forefront of modern nanotechnology, functional materials have played a pivotal role in transforming societies, and their influence is poised to persist into the future. Encompassing a wide array of solid‐state materials, spanning semiconductors to pol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied crystallography 2024-06, Vol.57 (3), p.606-622
Main Author: Suarez, Sebastian A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biotechnology
Catalysts
Computers
Consumer products
Crystals
Functional materials
Metal working
Nanoparticles
Nanotechnology
Photovoltaic cells
Photovoltaics
Polymers
structural science
Structure-function relationships
structure–dynamic properties relationships
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Summary:From the historical roots of metalworking to the forefront of modern nanotechnology, functional materials have played a pivotal role in transforming societies, and their influence is poised to persist into the future. Encompassing a wide array of solid‐state materials, spanning semiconductors to polymers, molecular crystals to nanoparticles, functional materials find application in critical sectors such as electronics, computers, information, communication, biotechnology, aerospace, defense, environment, energy, medicine and consumer products. This feature article delves into diverse instances of functional materials, exploring their structures, their properties and the underlying mechanisms that contribute to their outstanding performance across fields like batteries, photovoltaics, magnetics and heterogeneous catalysts. The field of structural sciences serves as the cornerstone for unraveling the intricate relationship between structure, dynamics and function. Acting as a bridge, it connects the fundamental understanding of materials to their practical applications. Structural sciences serve as a bridge between the fundamental understanding of materials and their applications, by elucidating the atomic and molecular intricacies that define the performance of functional materials. Spanning diverse fields, from energy storage to catalysis, this article emphasizes the evolving experimental techniques that have revolutionized our knowledge of structures and dynamic processes, positioning structural science as the essential guide to the future development of functional materials.
ISSN:1600-5767
0021-8898
1600-5767
DOI:10.1107/S1600576724003674