Processing

Digital light processing allows for design of fine-featured bioceramic scaffolds

By Lisa McDonald / August 12, 2022

Digital light processing is one of the most promising additive manufacturing technologies for preparing ceramic scaffolds with complicated fine features. Three recent studies by several groups in China explore the use of this technique to fabricate bioceramic scaffolds for medical applications.

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The microscopist’s dilemma: How to take advantage of an abundance of data

By Eileen De Guire / June 28, 2022

Storing data generated by sophisticated microscopy instruments is quite easy, but accessing, interpreting, and acting on the terabytes of data is challenging. Two recent papers offer interesting approaches to interacting with electron microscopes and the data they produce.

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Video: US mining companies lay plans for domestic rare earth processing facilities

By Lisa McDonald / June 22, 2022

Mining rare earth ores is only the first step in securing the rare earths supply chain. These ores must undergo refining processes, and China controls nearly all of the world’s rare earth processing facilities. Two U.S. mining companies, MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, plan to open domestic rare earth processing facilities within the next year.

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Sensitivity coefficient may help manufacturers minimize loss when drying ceramics

By Lisa McDonald / June 7, 2022

When drying ceramics, many characteristics affect how the material will respond to moisture loss and contraction. Researchers in Brazil found that the drying sensitivity coefficient is a determining factor associated with loss content.

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Forming methods influence the microstructure of flash-sintered ceramics

By Lisa McDonald / May 6, 2022

Flash-sintering of ceramics can lead to microstructural heterogeneity, which can negatively impact the material’s performance. Researchers in Brazil demonstrated that forming method can influence the final microstructure of flash-sintered ceramics.

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Mullite precursor method may be a game changer for fabricating ceramic matrix composites

By Guest Contributor / April 22, 2022

Oxide–oxide ceramic matrix composites have desirable properties for use in engine components, but conventional processing techniques usually require high temperatures and pressures, which damage the oxide fiber. Researchers in India developed a one-step process for synthesizing mullite precursors that could lower sintering temperature.

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Hybrid magnetron sputtered ceramic coatings show promise in next-gen combustion engines

By Lisa McDonald / April 5, 2022

With the rising use of fuels with reduced sulfur content, novel coatings are needed to protect engine components from increased wear. Researchers from Brazil and Chile investigated the potential of a hybrid deposition technique to deposit nanostructured ceramic multilayers on piston rings.

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A shocking development—electrodynamic fragmentation could provide high-quality recycled materials for the refractory industry

By Lisa McDonald / March 18, 2022

Recycling and reusing waste materials is one approach the refractories industry is pursuing to improve sustainability. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics have explored the potential of electrodynamic fragmentation to recycle composites, and their recent study looks specifically at the potential of this technique applied to refractory materials.

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Full ceramic electrodes epitomize next step for fused filament fabrication of lithium-ion batteries

By Lisa McDonald / March 8, 2022

While fused filament fabrication has the potential to fabricate lithium-ion batteries with tailored geometries, the high amount of polymer often included in the electrodes can limit application. University of Castilla-La Mancha researchers attempted the required debinding/sintering treatment to achieve full ceramic electrodes via this additive manufacturing method.

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Consequences of methodology—influence of indenter tip radius on failure mechanisms in borided steel

By Lisa McDonald / February 22, 2022

Replication studies have demonstrated how slight changes in methodology can significantly affect results. Researchers in Mexico investigated the effect that one seemingly minor methodological change can have on experiments—the radius of the indenter tip used in scratch testing.

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