SYMPOSIUM 22 – Advanced Manufacturing and Processing of Ceramic Materials

Processing and manufacturing routes play a critical role in determining the microstructure, performance, and reliability of advanced structural and functional ceramics. Nearly every stage of ceramic manufacturing can influence the mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and chemical properties of the final product. Key processing variables—including powder composition, purity, particle size distribution, mixing and milling procedures, shaping methods, and densification conditions—affect microstructural evolution through phase transformations, grain growth, porosity development, defect formation, and residual stress generation.

The purpose of this symposium is to provide an international forum for researchers, engineers, and industry professionals to discuss recent advances in the processing and manufacturing of advanced ceramic materials. The symposium welcomes experimental, computational, and data-driven studies related to ceramic synthesis, powder processing, shaping and forming, sintering, additive manufacturing, machining, welding and joining, surface engineering, and multiscale modeling of ceramic manufacturing processes. Contributions that advance the understanding, optimization, and scale-up of ceramic processing technologies are particularly encouraged.

Session Topics:

Synthesis of ceramic powders, including sol-gel, molten salt, hydrothermal, combustion, and other chemical synthesis methods
Preparation and processing of ceramic powders, including mixing, milling, dispersion, granulation, agglomeration control, and feedstock development
Sintering and densification of ceramics, including pressureless sintering, hot pressing, hot isostatic pressing, spark plasma sintering, microwave sintering, flash sintering, cold sintering, laser sintering, and related advanced sintering technologies
Welding, joining, and assembly methods for ceramics and ceramic-based composites
Machining and finishing of ceramics, including laser drilling, laser cutting, grinding, polishing, and other advanced manufacturing processes
Surface engineering and surface modification of ceramics, including coatings, thermal spray, shot peening, laser peening, and related surface treatments
Multiscale modeling, simulation, digital twins, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and in-situ/operando experimental techniques for understanding, predicting, and optimizing ceramic processing and manufacturing mechanisms

Symposium Organizer(s):

Bai Cui, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
William Headrick, RHI Magnesita, USA
James Hemrick, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA
Reeja Jayan, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
Katie Goetschius, Corning Inc., USA
Klaus van Benthem, University of Alabama, USA
Keith DeCarlo, Blasch Precision Ceramics, Inc., USA
Max Modugno, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA
Lionel Vargas-Gonzalez, DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, USA
Eric J. Faierson, Iowa State University, USA

Point(s) of Contact:

Bai Cui; bcui3@nebraska.edu

Division Sponsor(s):

Basic Science Division
Electronics Division
Glass and Optical Materials Division
Manufacturing Division