This volume of Annual Review Of Heat Transfer (ARHT) is devoted to thermal transport processes in the manufacturing of advanced materials. Topics covered include laser-assisted the formation of semiconductor nanomaterials, flame synthesis of nanomaterials deposited on different substrates, thermal spray coatings, heat and mass transfer processes in optical fiber drawing, and many more. In advanced materials manufacturing, energy is required to transform materials from one form to another. Often, heat is involved in the process. Heat may be an energy input and may also be either released or consumed during the transformation of material from one form to another. Understanding heat, mass, and momentum transport in the manufacturing processes is critical for the quality control of the final products. This volume highlights some of the exciting areas of manufacturing of advanced materials in which thermal processes play a dominant role. The topics covered in this volume serve as examples to illustrate the richness of thermal transport phenomena involved in manufacturing processes, from the nanoscale to macroscale.

An interesting observation is that all topics covered focus on additive manufacturing processes: from forming new materials through a chemical reaction to coatings. Of course, lasers and other thermal sources can be used for cutting purposes, but one could argue that thermal processes are more widely used for the addition of materials. The great attention to freeform additive manufacturing calls for further understanding of the thermal processes involved. This enhanced understanding can lead to innovation to further expand the reach of 3D printing technologies.