Heterogeneous structures and morphological transitions of composite materials and its applications

Advanced materials with heterogeneous microstructures enable superior properties unattainable in conventional materials. Challenges remain in predictive design, requiring morphological control principles to retain optimized structures. This review covers computational physics, materials science, and multiscale modeling advances elucidating process-structure–property relationships in heterogeneous materials. Key topics include morphological control during manufacturing, structure–property linkages across scales, interfacial mechanics, scale-bridging models for effective response, localized fields and failure, designed metastability and functional transitions, and multiscale design under uncertainty. By synthesizing diverse areas, fundamental understanding and technological frameworks are provided to predict the potential applications of heterogeneous materials through customized design and morphological control.

The interplay between heterogeneous structures and morphological transitions in composite materials is reviewed. The role of microstructure phases and morphology on energy evolution and shape transitions in both 2D and 3D systems are reported. The potential applications were explored, highlighting the significance of these concepts for composites, biomaterials and construction materials.