Dear Colleagues,

Functional composite materials are complex and fascinating systems. They are currently being studied from basic and applied points of view as they exhibit exciting properties not found in homogeneous substances. The first naïve approximation of these systems assumed that they would behave in a similar manner to their individual components, following the so-called rule of mixtures. However, this linear approximation does not always follow. In fact, a high number of non-linear responses are commonly found when strong interactions between components take place. The second required criterion to obtain these effects is the accurate control of the microstructure of the composites. In this respect, supercapacitors, magnetic cores, optical dyes, and many other devices can be designed and manufactured in this way.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to provide an up-to-date overview of functional composites with both passive and active non-conventional properties. In passive materials, we aim to understand all systems that present a single response to a stimulus, such as resistors, capacitors, magnetic cores, battery cathodes, acoustic devices, electromagnetic metamaterials, and plasmonics. In recent years, new composites exhibiting coupled phenomena have arisen. These materials can be considered as active or tuneable composites, as their response to some stimuli may be modified by certain actions. This category includes composites showing magnetoresistance and magnetoimpedance, magneto-electric couplings, and electro and magneto-acoustic devices.

Different aspects of these composites can be addressed, such as theoretical modelling, microstructural characterization, manufacturing and the characterization of new properties. 

Dr. Carlos Pecharroman
Dr. Rodrigues João Elias Figueiredo Soares
Guest Editors

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• composites, magneto-electric
• battery cathodes
• magnetoimpedance
• magnetoresistance
• composite metamaterials
• plasmonic materials
• microstructure
• material modelling