Federal University of São Carlos

Next step in cement-free refractories: Follow-up study emphasizes potential of geopolymer binders

By Lisa McDonald / March 26, 2024

In August 2023, researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil conducted preliminary tests on the potential of metakaolin-derived geopolymer binders to replace calcium aluminate cement binders in high-alumina refractory castables. A new follow-up study confirms this potential.

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Developing cement-free refractories: Geopolymer binders show potential in high-temperature alumina castables

By Lisa McDonald / September 19, 2023

Geopolymers are emerging as a promising alternative to cement binders in refractories. In a recent study, researchers in Brazil identified a new geopolymer composition that could serve as a binder in high-temperature alumina castables.

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Unveiling the hidden role of intermediate oxides in glass: Spectroscopic data combined with computational modeling provides new insights

By Lisa McDonald / August 1, 2023

The effect niobium oxide has on the macroscopic properties of glass is reasonably well-known, but its specific structural role in glass remains poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, researchers from the Center for Research, Technology, and Education in Vitreous Materials in Brazil combined spectroscopic data on niobium-containing silicate glasses with advanced computational modeling.

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New solid-state NMR strategy cracks open the ‘black box’ of crystal nucleation in glass

By Lisa McDonald / March 28, 2023

The process by which a crystal nucleates and grows within a glass during heat treatments remains a conceptually ill-understood phenomenon. Researchers in Brazil developed a nuclear magnetic resonance strategy combined with atomistic computer simulations that allowed them to shed unprecedented light on the structural changes that take place in a glass during relaxation and crystal nucleation.

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Clarifying the definition and role of nucleating agents within glass-ceramic systems

By Lisa McDonald / August 5, 2022

Much research has taken place on glass-ceramics since its discovery in the 1950s. However, the nucleation process within glass-ceramics still is not understood across all glass systems, nor is the specific role of nucleating agents. Researchers in the United States and Brazil aimed to help advance research in this area by clarifying some terms and effects for the glass-ceramics community.

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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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Fibers from recycled beverage straws may make refractories processing safer and cheaper

By Lisa McDonald / March 13, 2020

Plastic straws cannot be recycled to make new straws, but that does not mean straws are nonrecyclable. Researchers in Brazil looked at turning straws into anti-spalling fibers for refractory castables.

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Additive manufacturing offers fast and simple way to fabricate bioactive glass-ceramics

By Jonathon Foreman / May 17, 2019

An international team of researchers found they could use 3D printing to create Biosilicate® glass-ceramic scaffolds. This method offers low-cost fabrication of bioactive glass-ceramics for biomedical applications.

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Neural networks predict glass transition temperatures

By Lisa McDonald / November 20, 2018

Researchers trained an artificial neural network to predict glass transition temperatures of never-before-made glass compositions. The software will soon be freely available as a web application.

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Video: Glass transition concepts illustrated in humorous video

By Faye Oney / December 20, 2017

Do you find the concept of glass transition a little challenging to comprehend? Glass scientist Edgar Zanotto produced a humorous video, with help from students and colleagues, that visually illustrates the concepts of glass transition, relaxation, and crystallization.

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