Manufacturing

Crystallization of hybridized glasses provides a general and easy strategy for fabricating transparent ceramics

By Lisa McDonald / January 17, 2023

Current sintering methods used to obtain transparent ceramics face several challenges, including strict processing conditions and limited shape and size control. Researchers led by South China University of Technology presented a new general strategy for constructing dual-phase transparent ceramics from hybridized glasses that offers shape and size control as well as the potential for functionalization.

Read More

How sweet it is: Accidental discovery leads to microprinting method for highly curved, complex surfaces

By Guest Contributor / January 13, 2023

Through an accidental discovery, NIST researcher Gary Zabow discovered a new microprinting method based on sugar and corn syrup that allows microscale arrays to be deposited with precision on highly curved, complex surfaces.

Read More

Introduction to “Additive manufacturing” for ACT @ 20

By Jonathon Foreman / January 11, 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 additive manufacturing.

Read More

Solidifying knowledge of 3D printing: Effect of particle size distribution on curing behavior of ceramic-filled photothermal resins

By Lisa McDonald / January 10, 2023

To improve the mechanical properties of vat polymerized ceramics, researchers have extensively studied a range of factors that affect the photopolymerization process. In a recent study, two University of Stuttgart researchers elucidated the correlations between particle size distribution and polymerization kinetics.

Read More

Reducing waste in manufacturing—researchers explore conversion of diamond wire silicon cutting waste into high-value silicon nitride

By Lisa McDonald / November 11, 2022

Silicon waste is a major byproduct from solar cell production. A group of researchers from Northeastern University (Shenyang, China) have published several papers exploring how, through nitridation, this waste can be converted into high-value silicon nitride.

Read More

Sustainability guides discussion at 83rd Conference on Glass Problems

By Lisa McDonald / November 8, 2022

The 83rd Conference on Glass Problems welcomed 426 attendees to Columbus, Ohio, from Oct. 31–Nov. 3, 2022. The conference featured numerous talks on various aspects of sustainability, including decarbonization and energy efficiency, raw materials, and collaborative initiatives.

Read More

Thermoformed boron-based ceramics may offer new frontier in customized electronic components

By Lisa McDonald / November 1, 2022

The typically brittle nature of ceramics can hamper its formation into complex parts. Northeastern University researchers demonstrated that a highly oriented boron-based ceramic matrix composite can be shaped via thermoforming, which could hold implications for the electronics field.

Read More

Searching for strength: Researchers investigate whether uniform grain size improves properties of 3D-printed cemented carbides

By Lisa McDonald / October 18, 2022

Additive manufacturing offers a potentially easier way to fabricate cemented carbide parts. In a recent paper, researchers from Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. in Pennsylvania explored whether ensuring a uniform grain size in the 3D-printed part will improve its properties.

Read More

Nascent explorations: Injection molding may offer path to high-throughput manufacturing of transparent ceramics

By Lisa McDonald / October 7, 2022

Fabricating transparent ceramics is inherently challenging due to the excellent mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability of ceramics. Researchers in Germany showed powder injection molding could allow for high-throughput manufacturing of complex-shaped transparent ceramics.

Read More

Functionalized boron nitride-based nanofiltration membranes enhance treatment of semiconductor wastewaters

By Lisa McDonald / September 27, 2022

To improve separation performance of ceramic membranes, researchers currently are exploring modification of the membrane’s surface using 2D nanomaterials. Researchers led by Ewha Womans University demonstrated that coating a ceramic membrane with functionalized boron nitride improves separation performance for both particulate and organic contaminants in semiconductor wastewaters.

Read More