New type of non-crystalline solids between inorganic and organic materials

Increasing demands for special materials led to the conception of composites, since valuable properties of different types of materials can be combined. The question arises, whether combinations of different components are reasonable or possible on a molecular scale. General consideration of different principles of combinations are discussed and the sol-gel process as a useful tool in order to obtain glass related combination structures of inorganic and organic components is introduced. Some practical examples are given.