Past and present of sol-gel science and technology

In the last twenty years sol-gel science has undergone a spectacular development. The various stages of the sol-gel process have been scrutinised in considerable detail and a sound basis for future technological developments established. In the beginning the studies centred mainly on silica and silicate glasses and were progressively extended to many ceramics and composites. A turning point was reached with the emergence of ormosils and of organic-inorganic nanocomposites. This opened the gateway to whole classes of new materials. The present studies show a definite tendency towards very specialised high-tech applications.