Phase transitions and ferroelectrics: revival and the future in the field

The field of ferroelectric materials has played an important role in the field of Phase Transitions Journal and is expected to continue to do so, because of its popularity. Phase Transitions was founded in 1979 by A.M. Glazer as the only journal devoted exclusively to this important subject, which remains one of the most challenging topics at the interface between condensed matter chemistry and condensed matter physics. The Journal attempts to provide information on piezoelectrics and the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), multiferroics, the effect of high-pressure on ferroelectrics and strain engineering in ferroelectric oxide thin films. Much progress in understanding ferroelectrics has been achieved through temperature-, electric field- and/or chemical composition-dependent investigations. A particular interesting parameter for tuning physical properties in ferroelectrics is the strain, which can be exerted in thin films through differences in lattice parameters and thermal-expansion behavior between the film and the underlying substrate.