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M. M. Unterlass:
"Geomimetic approaches towards organic high-performance materials - Hydrothermal synthesis of imide-based materials";
Institut für Materialchemie, Technische Universität Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/BC/02,1060, Vienna, Austria, 2018.

Materials have always been a defining element in human civilization. Whole eras are named after the major e.g. structural material of that time, such as the "iron age" or the "bronze age". In fact, the progress of civilization is inevitably linked to technology, and hence the materials available at a certain period, to enable that technology. Our modern, post-industrial times are more than ever governed by technology. Therefore, we are constantly striving for better materials. At the same time, mankind is increasingly aware of health and environmental issues. Thus, we are - with all due right - asking the question: "At which cost are we profiting from a certain performance?", which automatically engenders: "Can we develop materials of outstanding performance, whilst minimally harming human health and the environment?" Geomimicry takes inspiration from natural mineral formation processes, such as from hydrothermal and solid-state pathways, for obtaining advanced materials. Since geomimetic approaches often yield highly crystalline products, materials properties that profit from crystallinity are enhanced. Moreover, both approaches are inherently benign compared to most conventional protocols: Hydrothermal synthesis requires solely water as reaction medium, and solid-sate synthesis fully avoids solvents. With this presentation, I will show that advanced materials that contain a significant amount of N-heterocycles and aromatic rings - which lay the molecular basis for these materials high-performance properties - can be generated hydrothermally. The discussed materials span a wide range of classes, from high-performance polymers to organic dyes and inorganic-organic hybrid materials. Special consideration will be placed on discussing why such transformations are possible at all. Furthermore, intriguing materials obtained from solid-state reactions will be presented. Finally, the potential of geomimicry for materials synthesis will be critically discussed.