Materials that integrate multiple functionalities are playing an increasingly important role in today's materials research, since in addition to a primary function they should also be, for example, energy-efficient, autonomous, switchable, or biocompatible. This offers a high innovation potential for a wide range of applications. The DGM has taken this development into account by founding the Expert Committee "Functional Materials". Its task is to highlight new trends in the development and use of functional materials at regular intervals. The aim is to stimulate discussion on physical mechanisms and their modelling as well as on developments of new functional materials and their application.