Advances in Functionally Graded Materials

Dear Colleagues,

New metallurgy techniques make it possible to devise material structures. Particularly, material properties can be designed to vary continuously along structural geometry to prevent delamination and stress concentration in traditional multilayered structures. This will make so called functionally graded materials. Although they were first invented to be utilized as a thermal shield to sustain very high temperature gradients in thin structures, Functionally graded materials are currently being used for many other applications such as wear-resistant linings, heat exchanger tubes, thermoelectric generators, heat-engine components, and in some prostheses. In recent years, materials scientists are developing sophisticated methodologies to fabricate new functionally graded materials for emerging applications, while mechanical engineers and mechanicians are investigating the physical behaviour of these materials to push the application boundary of these materials. Functionally graded materials have been used in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) under multiple physical fields such as electromagnetic fields, high frequency vibrations, and thermal shocks.

This special issue of Materials will focus on recent advances in functionally graded materials. Realizing the importance of integration of the research efforts in materials science and mechanical engineering to the further development of functionally graded materials, the objective of this issue is to provide a platform for materials scientists and mechanical engineers to share their research ideas and showcase their achievements in the general area of functionally graded materials.

Prof. Dr. Zengtao Chen
Guest Editor