Tools and strategies for Developing New Materials

Abstract The synergistic dependence of materials properties and performance upon structure and processing provides effective strategies for developing new materials for advanced technologies. This intimate interplay provides the central theme of this article. Advanced synthesis techniques, controlled microstructure, compositional tuning and theoretical predictions are powerful tools for searching for new materials or improved properties. These are discussed by selected examples including fullerenes, giant magnetoresistance multilayers, diamond and nitride films. The article also provides a brief overview of these materials and discusses their technological significance.