From the Classical Scheme to Asmart/Functional Materials System: A Generic Transformation of Advanced Materials Technologies

Starting with the last quarter of the 19th Century until recent modern times, rapidly accelerating technological transformations and developments result in better and superior materials and cause improvements in almost every fields of technologyIn this regard, materials technologies are also considered to be one of the major pillars and backbones of modern society with other generic fields such as energy, information-communication technologies and biotechnologies. Starting with the 21st Century, a new era for advanced materials has emerged and greatly influenced by the market dynamics and intense competition from new entries (e.g China and other new competitor countries). Despite the fact of regularly developing new technical and scientific achievements and improvements, there is a lack of research in technology and innovation management of advanced materials covering its newly forming characteristics in diverse and multi-sectoral markets. The qualitative findings and results of selected 12 contracted projects on advanced composite materials indicate the emerging rise of collaborative networking and cooperative activites within variety of sectors. It was found that the predominant connections among such activities are with universities, raw materials suppliers, service-providing companies for testing, analysis, characterization and variety of treatments (thermal, mechanical and chemical) along with in- house collaborations for processing and applications. Such findings should be considered new and emerging since the market is very well known for its intensely competitive environment and sensitivity for any spillovers of information of any kind.