Book excerpt: This comprehensive book covers recent developments in advanced dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials. Dielectric materials such as ceramics are used to manufacture microelectronic devices. Piezoelectric components have been used for many years in radioelectrics, time-keeping and, more recently, in microprocessor-based devices. Ferroelectric materials are widely used in various devices such as piezoelectric/electrostrictive transducers and actuators, pyroelectric infrared detectors, optical integrated circuits, optical data storage and display devices.The book is divided into eight parts under the general headings: High strain high performance piezo- and ferroelectric single crystals; Electric field-induced effects and domain engineering; Morphotropic phase boundary related phenomena; High power piezoelectric and microwave dielectric materials; Nanoscale piezo- and ferroelectrics; Piezo- and ferroelectric films; Novel processing and new materials; Novel properties of ferroelectrics and related materials. Each chapter looks at key recent research on these materials, their properties and potential applications.Advanced dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials is an important reference tool for all those working in the area of electrical and electronic materials in general and dielectrics, piezoelectrics and ferroelectrics in particular. - Covers the latest developments in advanced dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials - Includes topics such as high strain high performance piezo and ferroelectric single crystals - Discusses novel processing and new materials, and novel properties of ferroelectrics and related materials