| Abstract Scope |
Materials would be generally defined as [I] Functional materials and [II] Structural materials. However, that has not been clear “What is the definition and origin of functionalities in materials. Functional materials mean that materials act for transfer, move, change, or react with external fields and/or environments, thus they are active and/or reactive for out-side signal, fields and/or species. Therefore, functional materials should involve weakly bonded parts in their compositions and/or structures. When this definition could be accepted, improvements of functionalities require the increase and/or enhancement of active parts(= weakly bonded parts) by doping, modification, defects and/or surface and interface.
Functionality of Materials would be Electrical conductivity, Semiconductivity, Charge transfer, Piezo-, Ferro-Electricity, Magnetic properties, Amplifying, Modulation, Memory/Strage, Emission, Absorption/Desorption, Catalytic properties, Sensor, Actuator, Shielding,, Radiation, Bio-activity, Plasticity, Deformability, Toughning, etc.
While, properties like Optical transparency, Insulation and Thermal conduction (no absorption and scattering), which would be often regarded as Functions, might not be “ Function”, but rather “Anti-Function”, like Stiffness, Break-down, Fracture strength, Melting, Anti-corrosion, Anti-oxidation, etc. They would prefer Inactive thus hate weakly bonded parts(= active and reactive parts). Thus, improvement of “Anti-Function” should be opposite direction of the improvement of “Function”. |