Smart materials with advanced functional properties play an important role in many modern technologies. One may mention, for example, ceramics, semiconductors or polymers exhibiting electrical, optical, electrochemical or magnetic properties that can be used in many applications of semiconductor technology, sensor technology, display technology, electronics, photovoltaics, etc.
By means of examples (fuel cells, semiconductor applications such as solar cells, batteries, piezoelectric systems, etc.) it will be shown how materials properties, technological functionality and product are interconnected. Emphasis is put on materials for energy conversion and storage.