Smart material

Functional materials are characterized by electrical, ( special ) mechanical, magnetic, acoustic, optical or biological- chemical properties that can be influenced selectively to alter the macroscopic properties of a component. Functional materials having defined the delineation of construction materials, the transitions can be smooth. In functional materials is the use and purpose of use (eg corrosion protection or thermal insulation) in the foreground, not the structural design of components.

Examples

Functional materials are not allocated to any single group of substances and can have a variety of physico- chemical properties.

Examples of functional materials:

• Copper is used as the conductor material. Its electrical conductivity and its thermal conductivity are very good.
• Polymers are used as insulating materials, for example for insulating electrical cables and wires.
• Ceramics are used in condensers as a dielectric.
• Iron, cobalt and nickel are ferromagnetic. This is the basis for magnetic materials, as they are used for example in transformers and electric motors.

Teaching and research

The course functional materials is offered in Germany at several universities. There are various magazines that deal with the topic of functional materials, such as the Advanced Functional Materials (English ).

Course Technology of Functional Materials

In the winter semester 2006 / '07 started the third and final component in an overall strategy of the University of Würzburg for the introduction of engineering science courses - the technology of functional materials. This was renamed the winter 2012 / '13 in functional materials. To this end, the bachelor's and master's degree program was renewed.

The concept of the study resulted from a general need for such materials in many industrial sectors, starting from the automotive industry, through mechanical engineering, measurement and control technology, medicine, and biotechnology through to consumer electronics. The close cooperation with the business community in the Lower Franconia region has further confirmed this need.