Understanding material properties under high-temperature conditions is of considerable importance in many branches of industry - from aerospace to environmental technology - as the thermal behavior has a significant influence on the possible conditions of use. New material systems promise e.g. better efficiency, higher safety and better insulation properties. This presentation deals with advances in thermal analysis and the evaluation of thermophysical properties, with a focus on applications in the high temperature regime. Case studies will be used to demonstrate how measurement technology can be used to reliably characterize materials for demanding applications, including insulation materials, refractories and high performance alloys. The audience will gain insight into how NETZSCH solutions are helping both academia and industry to push the boundaries of material performance under challenging conditions.