Abstract
<jats:p>This book provides a comprehensive exploration of microwave discharge chemistry and its role in materials synthesis and processing. Part I establishes the conceptual foundations of the field, outlining its scope, scientific significance, and evolution within materials chemistry. Part II systematically examines electromagnetic principles and microwave-matter interactions, including dielectric response, energy deposition, and local field effects. Part III focuses on the fundamentals of microwave discharge and plasma chemistry, addressing discharge generation, plasma kinetics, and multiphase reaction environments. Part IV presents reactor engineering and diagnostic methodologies, highlighting system design, process control, in situ characterization, and modeling strategies. Part V surveys key microwave discharge methodologies for materials synthesis, including plasma-assisted fabrication, flash processes, and deposition techniques, with emphasis on their mechanistic diversity and processing advantages. Part VI discusses structure evolution under non-equilibrium conditions, emphasizing nucleation, phase selection, defect engineering, and hierarchical control across multiple length scales. Part VII correlates these structural features with physicochemical properties and functional applications across diverse materials systems, supported by representative case studies. Part VIII looks toward future directions, addressing industrial translation, digitalization, sustainable processing, and emerging opportunities in extreme and extraterrestrial environments, while identifying key challenges for scalable implementation.</jats:p>