The structure sensitive functional material is specialized in its properties that are remarkably sensitive to the variation of the spatial array of i s constituent atoms. The fundamental studies on structure sensitive functional materials will provide the necessary knowledge of developing novel functional materials by the way of understanding the relation ship between physical properties and the electronic and geometric structures of the compounds, and will result in the specialized functional moieties and them athematic rules which govern the behaviors of these moieties. The paper starts with the example of carbon atoms whose different spatial packing fashions result in notable changes of the bulk proper ies. The sensitivity of various optical, electric and magnetic properties to the geometric structures is further discussed in detail. Finally the theoretical power in this multidisciplinary field is discussed as well.