Definition of Advanced Materials
THE CROSS-SECTOR NATURE OF ADVANCED MATERIALS
An advanced material can be defined as any new or significantly improved material that provides a distinct advantage in (physical or functional) performance when compared to conventional materials.
Advanced materials can be organized into the following three categories:
Basic materials
Materials found upstream in the manufacturing chain that have undergone little or no transformation (production of advanced materials).
Finished and semi-finished products
Products intended for intermediate or end users (integration of advanced materials).
Processes and instrumentation
Processes involving advanced materials.
There are intended for, but not exclusive to, the following areas of application:
