Sol-gel chemistry is widely used to make materials of desired shape and functionality. As these sol-gel materials have became more diverse and complex, the development of advanced characterization techniques has emerged as a critical issue. In this book, leading scientists and engineers summarize the state-of-the-art in characterization techniques for sol-gel materials and beyond. After an overview of sol-gel derived materials, Advanced Characterization Techniques for Sol-Gel Materials is organized into four main sections: Structural characterization; Surface and textural characterization; Local probe techniques; and, Nanostructured thin films, which places special emphasis on an area that has resulted in key industrial applications of sol-gel materials in the last decade.