Ion beam modification of solids: towards intelligent materials

The feature of an intelligent material is the introduction of the concept of information science into the genuine properties and functions of material. Therefore a material itself can fulfil combined functions such as a sensor function, a processor function, an actuator (effector) function and a feedback–feedforward function. The development of intelligent materials is important for safety technology and human engineering such as life prediction, real-time monitoring of accidents, emergency measures and development of drug delivery systems (DDS). The present status of ion engineering technology to support the development of intelligent materials for synthesis of new materials or high performance multilayer thin films, for controlling crystallinity or composition and for modification of surfaces by atomic state ions or ionized clusters is described to illustrate–show that ion engineering technology is powerful and promising for the development of intelligent materials.