The International Year of Glass

On May 18, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly formally declared the year 2022 as the International Year of Glass in order to recognize the importance of this material in our lives and to highlight its major contributions to the development of the society. Over millennia, the glass community has adapted to and supported Society’s needs, due to their unparalleled versatility and technical capabilities. Glass is one of the most recyclable materials; it has a variety of roles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as energy-saving coatings, double/triple glazing, and solar cells. It is made from widely available materials and is contributing to major improvements in our health.

To celebrate the International Year of Glass, the Journal of Sol–Gel Science and Technology has dedicated a special issue by selecting the most important and influential papers focused on the preparation of glass by the sol–gel route. The capability of the sol–gel technology to produce an extensive range of nano-/micro-structures combined with the good control of the properties makes this a powerful technique to produce glasses. Moreover, the sol–gel technique was born in the field of glass in the 1980s, being promoted by the most important glass labs in those times. Through this special issue, the most important scientific and technical breakthroughs that have played a fundamental role in history are highlighted, as well as, the most recently published articles that mark the future directions for the sol–gel field. The past, present, and future potential of this transformative material are presented demonstrating the role of glass in all the fields.