Next-Generation Multifunctional Composites: Materials, Manufacturing, Performance and Future Directions

Composite materials enable engineers to combine structural strength with thermal, electrical, sensing, healing, and protective functions. This book examines how constituents, interfaces, architectures, and manufacturing processes govern these capabilities and their limitations. It connects fundamental principles with strategic and industrial applications, including aerospace, marine, transport, energy, and protective systems. Intended for postgraduate students, researchers, faculty members, and practicing engineers, the chapters address material selection, processing, performance, modeling, sustainability, and qualification. Transparent examples and clearly stated assumptions support reproducible reasoning, while research discussions distinguish demonstrated results from proposed solutions. Throughout, the emphasis remains on reliable component performance under realistic loading, environmental, and manufacturing conditions, encouraging research that explains mechanisms, validates functionality, and delivers meaningful benefits throughout a composite component's service life.