Raw materials

A materials dead end? The unraveling of the recycling cycle

By April Gocha / March 26, 2019

Although 91 percent of the plastics discarded on this planet have never been recycled, the materials recycling status of glass has to be better…right? A daunting look at the current state of recycling.

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Poor quality (or fake) graphene could be hindering your research

By Faye Oney / December 11, 2018

In two separate studies, researchers discovered inferior and counterfeit commercial-grade graphene by examining dozens of graphene samples. Scientists using inferior graphene may find their research results are not as accurate as they thought.

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Range of topics inspire lively discussions, enthusiasm at MCARE 2018

By Jonathon Foreman / August 31, 2018

Nearly two hundred people from 25 countries converged in Vancouver, BC, Canada, August 20–23, for Materials Challenges in Alternative and Renewable Energy (MCARE 2018). The conference inspired a variety of discussions and a lot of enthusiasm.

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3D-printed Smart Slab offers unique architectural design, lower carbon footprint

By Faye Oney / August 24, 2018

Researchers have developed an architectural construction technology that combines 3-D-printed design with the strength of concrete. Smart Slab weighs less than half of conventional concrete and generates a lower carbon footprint.

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New study of Easter Island inhabitants suggests collaboration, not competition

By Faye Oney / August 21, 2018

A new study shows that early settlers of Easter Island collaborated with each other to build the giant moai statues that are scattered around the island. This disputes earlier theories that the inhabitants competed with each other, leading to their decline.

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Honoring ACerS awards class of 2018, plus more inside September ACerS Bulletin

By Faye Oney / August 16, 2018

The Society announces awards that will be presented at the Awards Banquet of the 120th Annual Meeting in October to recognize significant contributions to the engineered ceramic and glass field by members and corporations.

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Video: This ceramic artist combines science and art to create beautiful sculptures

By Faye Oney / August 8, 2018

Ceramic artist Sabri Ben-Achour creates unique sculptures by mixing a little science with art. He gets his inspiration from wabi-sabi, the Japanese philosophy of finding beauty in imperfection. Watch the video to see his distinctive techniques.

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Rare Earth Extraction Facility could lessen US dependence on imports, pump up West Virginia economy

By Faye Oney / July 27, 2018

The Rare Earth Extraction Facility, recently opened at West Virginia University, is developing a process to extract rare earth materials from acid mine drainage. The new facility could help lessen U.S. dependence on REE imports as well as boost the West Virginia economy.

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How will ceramic materials fare in outer space? This and much more inside August 2018 ACerS Bulletin

By Faye Oney / July 20, 2018

The August 2018 issue of the ACerS Bulletin is now available online. You’ll find stories about how functional ceramics will be 3-D printed for outer space applications, how fly ash waste can be used for high-performance refractories, and much more.

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Making cheaper, small-diameter carbon nanotubes from carbon dioxide

By Faye Oney / June 5, 2018

Researchers at Vanderbilt University are making something useful out of carbon dioxide pulled from the air: Small-diameter carbon nanotubes. Their CNTs are not only higher quality, but the process to make them is cheaper than current methods.

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