INTRODUCTION
Functional materials are generally characterised as those materials which possess particular native properties and functions of their own. For example, ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, magnetism or energy storage functions. Functional materials are found in all classes of materials: ceramics, metals, polymers and organic molecules. Functional materials are often used in electromagnetic applications from KHz to THz and at optical frequencies where the plasmonic properties of metals assume particular importance. Functional materials are also of critical importance in materials for energy such as electro- and magnetocaloric materials, for energy storage and for solar harvesting functions. Functional materials have been received increasing attentions in their demand, application and development in recent years because of their dominant role in our science and society. The journals Advanced in Functional Materials (ISSN: 2377-6269, e-ISSN: 2377-8180) aims to assess the current status and to identify future priority and directions in research, design and applications of catalytic materials, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials, fuel-cell and battery materials, magnetic materials, optical materials, shape memory materials, super capacitor materials, thermoelectric materials, and other related advanced functional materials. This journal provides a platform and an opportunity to promote mutual interaction, information dissemination and exchange between researchers, and hence to promote fruitful collaborations on advanced, state-of-the-art functional materials research and development being developed.
The journal covers research in the following areas:
• Catalytic materials
• Optical materials
• Energy storage materials
• Rare earth resource utilization
• Ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials
• Shape memory materials
• Magnetic materials
• Thermoelectric materials
• Other related areas