The April 2026 issue of ACerS Bulletin is now available online.
In this month’s issue, we discuss grand challenges in the ceramics and glass industry. The first feature story by Randy Hecht explores alternative pathways for funding basic science research in the face of declining federal funding. The second feature story by six researchers at Case Western Reserve University describes the development of a semantic data management framework to support advanced manufacturing. The third feature story by Gabriel Agnello discusses the need to support soft skills development within scientific disciplines. The fourth feature story by Cathleen Hoel talks about some of the steps that ceramics manufacturers are taking to enable energy-efficient production.
In addition to the feature stories, the “Journal Highlights” column by ACerS journals managing editor Brittney Hauke highlights two articles exploring specific modeling and manufacturing challenges, specifically optimization of the glass composition–structure–property relationship and the development of saggars for sintering lithium-ion battery cathode materials. The “Deciphering the Discipline” column by student Ramsey Issa covers several of the challenges with using artificial intelligence for ceramic design.
This issue’s Industry section features three columns that dive into the market side of the industry’s grand challenges. The “Business and Market View” column sets the stage by overviewing the global market for ceramics. The “Industry Perspectives” column excerpts the recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme’s International Resource Panel on financing the responsible supply of energy transition minerals. The “Industry Insights” column by David Holthaus explores the evolving discipline of demand forecasting and shows how it can improve competitiveness and control costs.
Finally, learn about CERAMIC XCHANGE, the new premier website for your technical ceramic and glass application needs, brought to you by The American Ceramic Society.
You’ll find a lot more interesting content inside this—and every issue—of the ACerS Bulletin. Sign-up for one FREE year of ACerS membership to gain access to this valuable resource and everything else that ACerS has to offer!
