Manufacturing

Ceramics Expo 2022: Balancing the cost of innovation

By Lisa McDonald / September 6, 2022

Ceramics Expo 2022, which occurred in-person this year from August 30–31, welcomed dozens of exhibitors and hundreds of attendees to Cleveland, Ohio. Learn about what took place during the two-day event.

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New method shows promise repairing localized damage in thermal barrier coatings

By Lisa McDonald / July 12, 2022

Repairing localized damage in thermal barrier coatings on aircraft turbine blades can require full coat removal and reapplication to avoid blocking cooling holes in the blade. Forschungszentrum Jülich researchers proposed a new laser-cladding-based additive manufacturing technique that shows promise repairing localized damage without the need for full coat removal.

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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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Video: India aims to become major player in global semiconductor market

By Lisa McDonald / May 4, 2022

While India does well in research and development of semiconductor chips, the country has few semiconductor fabrication plants and none are for commercial use. In recent months, the Indian government laid the groundwork to bring commercial chip manufacturing to India.

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Composite showdown—technological developments could lower carbon fiber composites’ environmental impact

By Lisa McDonald / March 4, 2022

Currently, replacing conventional materials with carbon fiber-reinforced polymers typically increases life cycle energy use due to the energy-intensive fiber production process. A new prospective life cycle assessment suggests certain technological developments could lead to carbon fiber composites with lower environmental impact than glass fiber composites.

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Chipping in for a cleaner climate—graphene oxide-based nanofiltration membranes show promise in treating semiconductor wastewater

By Lisa McDonald / February 1, 2022

Removal of ammonium ions from semiconductor wastewater is a particular concern for chip manufacturers to avoid exacerbating eutrophication of aquatic environments. Researchers in South Korea investigated the potential of graphene oxide-based nanofiltration membranes to treat this type of wastewater.

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Video: Intel sets sights on Ohio to drastically expand domestic manufacturing with semiconductor mega-site

By Lisa McDonald / January 26, 2022

Semiconductor chip manufacturer Intel announced it is committing $20 billion to build a manufacturing mega-site on the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio. Learn about some of the big events that have affected the semiconductor industry in recent years and how Intel’s announcement fits into the narrative.

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Characterizing oxide catalysts: Methanol chemisorption quantifies active sites

By Lisa McDonald / January 25, 2022

The ability to count the number of active sites on oxide catalysts and thereby determine the reaction turnover frequency has developed very slowly in comparison to metal catalysts. In a recent paper, Lehigh University professor Israel E. Wachs argues for further developing the methodology of methanol chemisorption to address this situation.

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Beyond the cobalt bind—researchers investigate feasibility of nanoceramics as binder in cemented carbide tools

By Lisa McDonald / January 7, 2022

Cobalt is a main material used as the binder in cemented carbides, but there are drawbacks to using this metal. Ceramic phases have started attracting significant attention as alternative binders, and a recent study dives further into the feasibility of using nanoceramics as a binder.

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Cementing a new tradition—researchers explore effectiveness of various joining materials in rotary kilns

By Lisa McDonald / December 21, 2021

Steel plates are the typical material used to join refractory ceramics in rotary kilns, but certain conditions can lead the steel to deteriorate and cause catastrophic wear. Researchers in Japan explored whether a basic mortar could be used instead of steel plates.

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