A generic transformation of advanced materials technologies: towards more integrated multi-materials systems via customized R&D and innovation

Abstract

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 technology. In 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). Advanced materials engineering has been evolving to become significantly more “integrated materials systems”. Working on individual and isolated material components is no longer adequate enough to solve sophisticated engineering problems in industry. Therefore, a new challenge has been forcing advanced materials to become more integrated with variety of materials i.e., multi-materials systems along with interaction of other engineering functions, i.e., multi-functionality. Despite the fact that 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 18 contracted projects on advanced materials indicate the emerging rise of collaborative networking and cooperative activities 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.