Through detailed case studies of the most important advanced material creations of the latter 20th and early 21st century, the author explores the role of the field of advanced materials in the technological and economic activity today, with implications to the innovation process in general. A comprehensive study that encompasses the three major categories of advanced material technologies, i.e., Structural Materials (metals and polymers), Functional Materials (transistor, microchip and semiconductor laser) and Hybrid and New Forms of Matter (liquid crystals and nanomaterials). Extensive use of primary sources, including unpublished interviews with the scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs on the front lines of advanced materials creation Original approach to case study narrative, emphasizing interaction between the advanced material process, perceived risk and directing and accelerating breakthrough technology

These volumes comprise papers, on the topic of “Advanced Materials”, selected from the second International Conference on Advances in Materials and Manufacturing (ICAMMP 2011) held on the 16-18th December 2011 in Guilin, China. The 468 peer-reviewed papers are grouped into the chapters: 1: Composites, 2: Micro / Nano Materials, 3: Iron and Steel, 4: Ceramic, 5: Metal Alloy Materials, 6: Biomaterials, 7: Optical/Electronic/Magnetic Materials, 8: Building Materials, 9: New Energy Materials and Environmental Materials, 10: Biomaterials and Chemical Materials, 11: Thin Films, 12: New Functional Materials, 13: Materials and Design.

This volume brings together the experience of specialists in the entire field of applications of Materials Science. The volume contains 196 of the excellent papers presented at the conference. This multidisciplinary meeting was held to bring together workers in a wide range of materials science and engineering activities who employ common analytical and experimental methods in their day to day work. The results of the meeting are of worldwide interest, and will help to stimulate future research and analysis in this area.

Special topic volume with invited peer reviewed papers only.