Strain-Engineered Nanocomposites towards Multifunctionalities

Dear Colleagues,

Strain engineering has become an important research theme in the field of materials science because the elastic strain states induced by lattice mismatch or local defects within crystalline materials would remarkably alter the physical properties of materials, such as the transition temperatures (T_c) of ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, and superconductivity, etc., which opens up enormous opportunities in device applications.

Other than the strain tuning in single-phase oxides, where the biaxial strain between the film and substrate plays the dominant role in altering carrier mobility and physical properties of the epitaxial films, the strain states within functional nanocomposites are much more complex where both in-plane and out-of-plane strains significantly impact the physical properties as well as functionalities of the nanocomposites.

Therefore, this Special Issue aims to share the latest research results in strain engineering of nanocomposite thin films which exhibit tunable properties and functionalities. We warmly welcome researchers to contribute to this Special issue in the form of research articles, letters, reviews, and communications, as well as all suitable forms. The potential topics may include, but are not limited to:

• The growth and synthesis of nanocomposite thin films;
• The characterization of functional nanocomposites;
• The simulation and theoretical prediction of physical properties;
• Strain-induced property tuning;
• Lattice strain calculation at heterointerface;
• Growth parameter tuning and optimization;
• Heterostructure interface characterization;
• Device applications of functional nanocomposites.

Dr. Di Zhang
Dr. Jijie Huang
Dr. Shikhar Misra
Dr. Xuejing Wang
Guest Editors

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