Abstract: Protective hybrid films and coatings comprising inorganic and organic components tailored at molecular length scales are used in a wide range of emerging technologies. These range from protective transparent coatings for ophthalmic lenses, plastic windows and stretchable electronics, display and photovoltaic devices, membranes in fuel cells and batteries, dielectric layers in microelectronics and adhesive layers in high-performance laminates. In all case, characterizing and modeling thermomechanical reliability is paramount. I will describe our research by showcasing examples of molecular engineering…