Thermal management

Heating up space science: A review of UHTCs for radiation-cooled thermal protective systems

By Lisa McDonald / February 6, 2024

Research on ultrahigh-temperature ceramics (UHTCs) for hypersonic and space vehicle applications is gaining increased attention and funding. This CTT summarizes an open-access review paper on the measurement and enhancement of UHTCs coatings for radiation-cooled thermal protective systems.

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New frontiers in space travel: A review of ultrahigh-temperature ceramic properties and processes

By Lisa McDonald / December 19, 2023

Ultrahigh-temperature ceramics (UHTCs) are a promising class of materials for next-generation aerospace technologies. Several ACerS members just published a review paper on UHTCs, describing their properties and overviewing traditional and novel manufacturing methods to synthesis these emerging materials.

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Saving the planet through passive cooling: New ceramic and glass radiative coatings offer stability and scalability

By Guest Contributor / December 12, 2023

Radiative coatings can passively cool buildings without the use of mechanical refrigeration equipment. Two recent papers describe the development of ceramic and glass radiative coatings that demonstrate resistance to environmental stimuli and potential for mass production.

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Introduction to “Thermoelectrics” for ACT @ 20

By Jonathon Foreman / November 21, 2023

To celebrate the milestone of the 20th volume of the International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, the editorial team assembled a selection of journal papers representing the excellent work from the advanced ceramics community. The focus this month is thermoelectrics.

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Electronics in space—high-temperature electrical tests reveal potential of various packaging materials for silicon carbide sensors

By Lisa McDonald / November 21, 2023

Silicon carbide electronics are expected to play a role in future space missions to hot celestial bodies, such as Venus and the sun. A new study by researchers at NASA Glenn Research Center investigated the electrical properties of several ceramic and glass packaging materials to determine which would best protect silicon carbide electronics at temperatures of more than 800°C.

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Compliant combustion: Nanocoating offers new way to control ‘runaway’ thermal reactions

By Lisa McDonald / September 8, 2023

Current methods for controlling “runaway” thermal reactions such as combustion and pyrolysis remain rather rudimentary. Researchers led by North Carolina State University developed a new nanocoating that, when applied to a material before combustion, allows for the reaction rate and direction of ignition propagation to be controlled.

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Effects of expanded graphite content on the performance of magnesia carbon bricks

By Lisa McDonald / July 11, 2023

Magnesia carbon bricks are widely used in steelmaking because of their excellent thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties. These bricks can be fabricated using various carbon sources. In a recent paper, researchers at Changwon National University investigated the effects of expanded graphite content on MgO–C bricks.

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Let there be light—aerogel-filled glass bricks provide translucency as well as insulation and loadbearing capabilities

By Guest Contributor / June 9, 2023

Glass block walls can be a desirable way to maximize natural light exposure in a building, but their thermal properties do not allow for the best energy efficiency. Researchers at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology designed aerogel-filled glass bricks that are translucent as well as thermally insulating and strong.

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Introduction to “Ultrahigh-temperature ceramics” for ACT @ 20

By Jonathon Foreman / May 16, 2023

To celebrate the milestone of the 20th volume of the International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, the editorial team assembled a selection of journal papers representing the excellent work from the advanced ceramics community. The focus this month is ultrahigh-temperature ceramics.

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Multifunctional materials for next-gen devices: Flame-resistant composite achieves low thermal and high electrical conductivities

By Lisa McDonald / May 12, 2023

As new energy conversion and miniaturized electronic systems are developed, it is desirable to have a material that exhibits both extremely low thermal and high electrical conductivities. University of Bayreuth researchers fabricated a flexible carbon/silicon nonwoven composite with such properties, as well as being flame resistant and thermally stable.

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