Ceramics

Atomic step–terrace ordering enables unprecedented precision in mechanical testing

Collaboration between ORNL, General Atomics to advance manufacturing for energy and security

The collaboration aims to improve manufacturing of silicon carbide ceramics, a strong material that can withstand high heat and radiation. Researchers will combine 3D printing and digital technologies to enhance production efficiency and reduce defects.

How adding a microwave to a 3D printer makes flawless and heat-proof ceramics

Researchers used microwave-based 3D printing to create ceramic components with near-zero porosity and improved strength. The hybrid technique eliminates microscopic holes and traps gas bubbles, allowing for more bending force before breaking.

Breakthrough proton-conducting ceramic material for clean energy

A new ceramic material overcomes long-standing limits in proton conductivity, achieving record-high performance at intermediate temperatures. The innovative donor co-doping strategy combines increased proton concentration and mobility with chemical stability under various environments.

Thermal transport modulation in YbN-alloyed ALN thin films to the glassy limit

Scientists discover a new method to engineer crystalline materials with exceptionally low thermal conductivity by alloying YbN into AlN. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize industries such as semiconductor packaging and chemical reactors.

A researcher’s long quest leads to a smart composite breakthrough

Researchers have developed a strong, defect-free composite material that can phase-shift under stress to dissipate energy. The material, created using additive friction stir deposition, has potential applications in defense, infrastructure, aerospace, and sporting equipment.

Synergistic effects of single-crystal HfB2 nanorods: Simultaneous enhancement of mechanical properties and ablation resistance

Single-crystal HfB2 nanorods exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, with a 4.1% increase in hardness and 37.6% improvement in fracture toughness. The nanorods also demonstrate excellent ablation resistance, impeding oxygen atom penetration and reducing mass ablation rates.

Unlocking ceramic 3D printing for next-generation chemical reactors

Researchers developed a scalable method for creating complex ceramic structures using binder jet additive manufacturing and advanced post-processing techniques. This innovation enables the production of high-quality, leak-proof components for critical applications like pharmaceutical or chemical processing.

Study reveals how nitrogen atmosphere enhances performance of iron-biochar catalysts in wastewater treatment

Researchers found iron-biochar composites milled in a nitrogen atmosphere exhibit superior catalytic performance for degrading organic pollutants. The composite achieved a phenol removal rate of 90.3% when used to activate persulfate, outperforming those milled in air or vacuum.

Magnetically guided nanobots for tooth sensitivity relief

Researchers have engineered CalBots, magnetic nanobots that can penetrate dentinal tubules and form durable seals, offering lasting relief from sensitivity. The study uses a new class of bioceramic cement to create a regenerative, active nanomaterial with potential implications for future healthcare.

Printing uniform, high-strength SiC ceramics at 1100 °C in one step

Researchers developed a new 3D printing method that creates strong, high-quality silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic parts at lower temperatures. The method uses vat-polymerization and adds silica to improve material quality, resulting in comparable strength to ceramics sintered at higher temperatures.

Improving how we design materials

Advanced computer simulations reveal shear deformations and internal mechanical stresses play a crucial role in grain growth and evolution. This discovery helps explain why real polycrystals behave differently than predicted and offers insights into designing stronger materials.

Laser technique revolutionizes ultra-high temperature ceramic manufacturing for space, defense applications

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique using lasers to create ceramics that can withstand ultra-high temperatures. The technique allows for the creation of ceramic coatings, tiles, or complex three-dimensional structures, enabling increased versatility in engineering new devices and technologies.

University of Houston engineer reinvents ceramics with origami-inspired 3D printing

Researchers at the University of Houston create ceramic materials with origami-inspired shapes and a soft polymer coating, allowing them to bend under pressure without breaking. The resulting structures have improved toughness and can be used in medical prosthetics, aerospace, and robotics.

MIT engineers print synthetic “metamaterials” that are both strong and stretchy

Researchers at MIT have developed a new method to fabricate stretchable ceramics, glass, and metals using a double-network design. This material can stretch over four times its size without breaking, making it suitable for tear-resistant textiles and flexible semiconductors.

Building material for an ancient metropolis

Researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt and LEIZA aim to analyze 4,000 stamped bricks from the Roman period to gain insights into brick production and use in ancient Trier. The study may reveal previously unknown construction projects and provide a model for integrating archaeological and archaeometric methodologies.

How does a ceramic melt under laser? Tunnel ionization dominant femtosecond ultrafast melting in MgO

Researchers find that intense laser pulses cause tunnel ionization, generating photocarriers and altering the lattice energy surface, leading to ultrafast melting of wide-gap ceramic materials like MgO. The study demonstrates a universal microscopic mechanism for laser-induced phase transitions.

UVA receives DURIP grant for cutting-edge ceramic research system

The University of Virginia has been awarded a $318,190 grant to develop an electromagnetic levitation system for studying ultra-high-temperature ceramics. This system enables researchers to study materials in their solid and molten states, unlocking new possibilities for aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.

Small changes can dramatically boost efficacy of piezoceramics

By reducing the thickness of a commonly-used piezoelectric ceramic material, researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) show that its efficacy can be dramatically increased, resulting in improved strain values. The team discovered that removing oxygen vacancies in lead-free piezoceramics also boosts electrostrain to 1% or higher.

Focaccia: a Neolithic culinary tradition dating back 9,000 years ago

Researchers analyzed ceramic fragments of husking trays to identify their use as specialized containers for baking cereal-based doughs. The study provides clear evidence regarding the uses of these artifacts and the nature of the foods processed in them.

Sensitive ceramics for soft robotics

Researchers have developed sensitive ceramic sensors that can selectively respond to pressure or temperature, which are integrated into a prosthetic hand and a robotic skin. The goal is to enable safe collaboration between humans and machines, with applications in medicine and industry.

SwRI’s Dr. James Walker receives Distinguished Scientist Award from Hypervelocity Impact Society

Dr. James Walker has received the Distinguished Scientist Award for his significant contributions to hypervelocity impact science and penetration modeling. His research applications include body armor, ground vehicle armor, and shielding against orbital debris.

Pushing the boundaries of traditional ceramic techniques

Researchers merged science and art to create a new kind of ceramic with enhanced strength and heat resistance. The team's innovative technique uses graphene oxide and ultrasound to produce delicate and intricate structures previously unattainable in traditional ceramics.

NTU Singapore scientists apply ancient construction methods to help fabricate modern microparticles

Researchers use tongue and groove technique inspired by ancient East Asian wooden structures to create advanced ceramic microparticles with unprecedented complexity and precision. These particles can be used in various applications across microelectronics, aerospace, energy, and medical engineering.

CityUHK researchers develop next-generation radiative cooling technology

Next-generation passive radiative cooling technology offers an electricity- and refrigerant-free cooling solution, potentially reducing surface temperature by at least 2°C. The innovation has promising application potential in buildings, roads, and clothing, addressing issues such as urban heat islands and greenhouse gas emissions.

HKUST researchers develop innovative method to simplify manufacturing process of cellular ceramic

Researchers at HKUST developed a novel approach to manufacture geometrically complex cellular ceramics using surface-tension-assisted two-step processing. This method overcomes traditional additive manufacturing limitations, enabling the production of programmable and highly precise ceramic architectures.

Greek Island was home to Bronze Age purple dye workshop

A Bronze Age purple dye workshop has been found on the Greek island of Aegina, featuring tools, ceramics, and snail shells that reveal the production process. The site provides insights into Mycenaean culture and trade during the Late Bronze Age.

Wearable devices get signal boost from innovative material

Researchers at Rice University developed a new material that mimics skin elasticity and motion types while preserving signal strength in electronics. The material, made by embedding ceramic nanoparticles into an elastic polymer, stabilizes radio-frequency communication and minimizes energy loss.

Ice-ray patterns: A rediscovery of past design for the future

A study discovers that traditional Chinese ice-ray lattice designs can provide unique stiffness and strength under asymmetric loads, offering an alternative to conventional gridshells. The research also explores the potential of integrating complex geometry into facade design and micro-scale material design.

PolyU researchers develop nature-inspired advanced materials to achieve 99.6% solar reflectivity

Researchers at PolyU developed a cooling ceramic with a hierarchically porous structure, inspired by the whitest beetle, to achieve high solar reflectivity and efficient light scattering. This innovation has potential energy-saving applications and is the first study on the Leidenfrost effect in passive radiative cooling materials.

New cooling ceramic can enhance energy efficiency for the construction sector and help combat global warming—City University of Hong Kong research

Researchers at City University of Hong Kong have developed a passive radiative cooling material that achieves high-performance optical properties. The cooling ceramic reduces thermal load, provides stable cooling performance, and can be used in various building applications.

3D printed reactor core makes solar fuel production more efficient

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel 3D printing methodology to manufacture porous ceramic structures for efficient solar radiation transport, resulting in twice as much fuel production as uniform structures. The technology has the potential to improve sustainable aviation fuels' economic viability.

Electron-rich metals make ceramics tough to crack

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have discovered a way to make ceramics tougher and more resistant to cracking. By using metal atoms with more electrons in their outer shell, they unlocked the potential to enable ceramics to handle higher levels of force and stress.

Scientists film soundwaves in a crystal

Researchers used a unique X-ray technique to capture soundwaves' propagation in a diamond crystal, revealing ultrafast structural phenomena that were previously beyond scientific reach. The breakthrough enables real-time imaging of solid materials with unprecedented resolution and speed.

Ceramic tea set glazing affects health benefits of tea, finds new study

A new study by Nagoya Institute of Technology researchers reveals that the type of ceramic glaze used in tea sets can alter the retention of catechins, flavonoids with antioxidant properties. The study found that different glazes reduced the amount of beneficial compounds in tea, affecting its flavor, aroma, and potential health benefits.

China’s oldest water pipes were a communal effort

A new study reveals a 4,000-year-old system of ceramic water pipes in China demonstrates that neolithic people were capable of complex engineering feats without a centralised state authority. The discovery challenges earlier understanding in archaeological fields.

Ferroelectric material is now elastic

Researchers developed a precise crosslinking method to impart elastic recovery to ferroelectric materials. The new material combines elasticity with high crystallinity, offering broad application prospects in wearable electronics and smart healthcare.

How do ceramic particles strengthen metallic copper?

Scientists review preparation techniques for copper matrix composites with ceramic particles, enhancing mechanical properties and thermal conductivity. The study highlights the importance of particle characterization, interfacial bonding, and advanced preparation methods to optimize composite performance.

Oldest human remains from Puerto Rico reveal a complex cultural landscape since 1800BC

The Ortiz site in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, has yielded five adult human remains with ages dating back to 1800BC, challenging simplistic assumptions about ancient culture. The mortuary practices and Strontium isotope analysis suggest standard burial practices over many centuries.

Modern origami method creates glass shapes by folding

Chemical engineers have created a new technique for shaping glass into intricate 3D forms using origami and kirigami. By combining folding and heating, they can produce transparent glass with complex shapes and layered textures.

New invention: The oxygen-ion battery

The oxygen-ion battery has an extremely long service life due to its ability to regenerate and store capacity that does not decrease over time. It also solves the problem of fire hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries.

Indigenous Ashaninka DNA helps geneticists write new chapters of pre-colonial history in South America

Geneticists used Ashaninka DNA to uncover a strong hint of a South-to-North migration that led to the transition from an archaic to ceramic culture in Caribbean islands. The study provides new insights into pre-colonial American history and highlights the importance of microgeographic studies.

Technique offers new insight into how materials respond to stresses

Researchers developed an in situ technique to observe material behavior under various stresses, including shear stress. This allows for precise understanding of how materials respond and identify preferred slip planes.

HKU Dentistry invents new material to replace extracted human teeth for dental research

A research team developed a new dentine analogue material that can substitute extracted human teeth in laboratory-based mechanical and fatigue tests. The materials were tested for their mechanical strength, elastic modulus, indentation hardness, and fatigue behaviour, showing comparable results to those based on extracted human teeth.

Illinois Tech assistant professor publishes paper in Science on novel chemistry behind ultra-high power density batteries

Assistant Professor Mohammad Asadi has published a paper in Science describing the chemistry behind his novel lithium-air battery design, which could store one kilowatt-hour per kilogram or higher. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize heavy-duty vehicles such as airplanes, trains, and submarines.

Stanford scientists illuminate barrier to next-generation battery that charges very quickly

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new understanding of how nanoscale defects and mechanical stress cause solid electrolytes to fail. By studying over 60 experiments, they found that ceramics often contain tiny cracks on their surface, which can lead to short circuits during fast charging. The discovery could pave the ...

1,700-year-old spider monkey remains discovered in Teotihuacán, Mexico

Researchers found the skeletal remains of a 5-8 year old spider monkey in Teotihuacán, Mexico, which provides the earliest evidence of primate captivity and translocation. The discovery also reveals gift diplomacy between Teotihuacán and Mayan elite, challenging previous beliefs about Maya presence in the region.

Ceramic coatings do not fatigue

Researchers at TU Wien found that ceramic coatings do not fatigue under extreme load conditions, but instead break down due to fracture toughness. The discovery changes the approach to measuring and improving thin film durability.

Looking to sea urchins for stronger ceramic foams

A team of researchers, led by Ling Li from Virginia Tech, has discovered the key strategies behind the strength and toughness of sea urchin exoskeletons. The study reveals that a balance between branch connection nodes and pore size is critical to the material's damage tolerance.

What if ceramics were ductile?

Researchers have discovered a way to create ductile ceramics that can exhibit ultimate strength of up to 11 GPa, potentially leading to improved energy efficiency and reduced material usage. However, further studies are needed to scale up the process and apply it to larger materials.

UCF researchers create lunar regolith bricks that could be used to construct Artemis base camp

Researchers at UCF's COSMOS Lab developed a method to create strong bricks from lunar regolith using 3D printing and binder jet technology. The bricks can withstand extreme space environments and are suitable for constructing off-world structures, paving the way for sustainable space construction.

Scientists have grown custom-shaped nanoparticles

Researchers developed a technology to create nonspherical nanoparticles through ion implantation, enabling the growth of custom shapes and controlling their properties. This allows for the creation of metamaterials with improved optical absorption and energy conversion efficiency.

Heat-proof chaotic carbides could revolutionize aerospace technology

Scientists at Duke University have engineered materials capable of producing tunable plasmonic properties while withstand extremely high temperatures. The new high-entropy carbides can achieve improved communications and thermal regulation in aerospace technologies, including satellites and hypersonic aircraft.

Engineers develop a new kind of shape-memory material

A new category of shape-memory materials made of ceramic, rather than metal, has been discovered by MIT researchers. The ceramic material can actuate without accumulating damage and withstand much higher temperatures than existing metals, making it suitable for applications such as actuators in jet engines.

Not Just for the Gods

A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers Anabel Ford and Mattanjah de Vries reveals that cacao was accessible to the general populace and used in celebrations at all levels of ancient Maya society. The analysis of 54 archaeological ceramic sherds from El Pilar, Belize, found evidence of cacao residues in all vessel types, including ...

Technological revolution of membrane process for water treatment: PTC pre-coagulation for fouling control of ceramic membrane

Researchers found PTC pre-coagulation significantly improves organic matter removal and filtration quality of ceramic membranes. The study provides a high-effective pretreatment technology to enhance filtration performance and control membrane fouling.

Martian rock-metal composite shows potential of 3D printing on Mars

Researchers at Washington State University have created a strong and high-performance material by mixing Martian regolith with a titanium alloy. The composite showed better properties than the metal alone, making it suitable for making tools or rocket parts on Mars.

CityU material scientists discover a new mechanism to increase the strength and ductility of high-entropy alloys

A research team led by City University of Hong Kong discovered a new mechanism that increases both strength and ductility in high-entropy alloys. The findings provide insights for designing strong yet ductile materials and ceramics.

Decoding the structure and properties of near-infrared reflective pigments

The study analyzes the structure and composition of Ca2(Mn,Ti)O4 using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT to understand how Ti impurities enhance its near-infrared reflectivity. The findings provide a general recipe for understanding the properties of complex perovskite ceramics.

The sound of water: New refining technique makes cheaper superconductors a reality

Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed a novel low-cost method for refining boron using ultrasonication, resulting in 95% pure MgB2 superconductors with improved magnetic properties. This breakthrough could make cheap superconductors a reality soon.