Ceramic Tech Chat

Cross collaborations for multifunctional electronics: Ruyan Guo

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Modern electronics are expected to perform multifunctional tasks, and interdisciplinary knowledge is required to develop these materials and systems. Ruyan Guo, the Robert E. Clarke Endowed Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio, talks about her experiences doing electronics research at both The Pennsylvania State University and UT San Antonio, describes how she helped launch an interdisciplinary graduate program at the latter institution, and shares the ways in which she is giving back to the ceramics community by serving previously as a National Science Foundation program director and currently on the ACerS Board of Directors.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Ruyan Guo is the Robert E. Clarke Endowed Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research group specializes in the study and development of multifunctional materials for electronic devices. She previously served as a program director in the Electrical, Communications, and Cyber Systems Division of the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Engineering, helping coordinate national research during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She is now serving on the ACerS Board of Directors.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Research experiences support next-gen scientists: Mario Affatigato

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0500

Undergraduate research experiences have many well-known benefits for those just starting on their potential career path. Mario Affatigato, the Fran Allison and Francis Halpin Professor of Physics at Coe College, shares how his initial experiences with glass research as a student at Coe came full circle when he returned to Coe as a professor, describes the fundamental and applied glass science that his research group conducts, and discusses his plans and goals as president of ACerS this year.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Mario Affatigato is the Fran Allison and Francis Halpin Professor of Physics at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His group studies various glass-related questions from both a fundamental and applied perspective, including electrical conductivity of vanadate glasses and laser-based manufacturing. He is serving as this year’s president of The American Ceramic Society, and he is also editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Applied Glass Science.

Cement solutions for sustainable construction: Juan Pablo Gevaudan

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Reducing carbon emissions in the cement and concrete industry is a complex, multifaceted challenge. Juan Pablo Gevaudan, assistant professor of architectural engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, talks about how his childhood desire to protect the environment led to his eventual work in cement, describes some of the research taking place in the cement industry to reduce carbon emissions, and shares how his identity as a Latino and Hispanic scientist plays a role in his approach to learning and teaching.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Juan Pablo Gevaudan is assistant professor of architectural engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. As head of the D/Carb Group at Penn State, JP works with students on developing solutions to reduce carbon emissions in the cement and concrete industry by taking a whole lifecycle approach to the challenge. He is actively involved in the ACerS Cements Division, currently serving as secretary for the 2025–2026 term.

Exploring unusual glasses and Indigenous thinking: Courtney Calahoo

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Glass is generally considered inert, but recent decades have seen increasing interest in glasses that react more readily with their environment. Courtney Calahoo, research and development team lead at Genics, shares her journey to working on dissolvable glasses, describes some of her current projects, and provides examples of how Indigenous knowledge can benefit modern scientific research.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Courtney Calahoo is research and development team lead at Genics Inc., a chemical manufacturer in Alberta, Canada. She became interested in dissolvable glasses while working in Lothar Wondraczek’s group at the Otto Schott Institute of Materials Research, and she now develops dissolvable glass rods for wood preservation at Genics. During the International Year of Glass celebrations at the United Nations in 2022, Courtney talked about her experiences as an Indigenous woman glass scientist and the overlap between Indigenous knowledge and glass science. Read a summary of her talk here and watch the recording here (2:35:00 mark). Learn more about the ingenuity of Indigenous materials scientists in this book.

Hypersonic research and fast-track education: Rod Trice

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Recent decades have seen a resurgence in interest and funding for hypersonics research. Rod Trice, professor of materials engineering at Purdue University, briefly overviews the history of hypersonic flight, describes current hypersonic vehicle design paradigms and materials, and shares his expectations for the future of this critical national defense sector.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Rod Trice is professor of materials engineering at Purdue University. His group works on the processing and forming of ceramics for hypersonic applications. Since January 2024, Rod has helped support the ACerS–USACA Materials Training Program by teaching a short course on hypersonic materials. The program recently received a two-year funding extension from the U.S. government and will continue in 2026.

Dental ceramics support oral health: Carolyn Primus

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Many patients—and sometimes even dentists—are not aware of the many ceramic and glass materials that sneakily find application in the dental world. Carolyn Primus, medical device consultant, shares her journey into the field of dental materials, provides a glimpse of the history and variety of ceramic materials used in dentistry, and describes some of the ways she’s personally contributed to this field.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Carolyn Primus is a medical device consultant and adjunct associate professor at Augusta University in Georgia. She has spent more than 35 years working with dental materials, particularly for endodontic applications, and will publish a book through ACerS–Wiley in fall 2025 that provides an expansive overview of everything she knows about ceramics in dentistry.

Untapped markets for chemically strengthened glass: William LaCourse

Wed, 28 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Glass is a solution to many modern challenges, and there remains ample opportunities for further improvements. William LaCourse, Emeritus Professor of glass science in the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, shares how several serendipitous encounters with giants in the glass field led to his employment at Alfred, highlights some of the untapped markets for ion-exchanged glass products, and gives some fun anecdotes from his time as the Alfred sports announcer for football and basketball.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
William LaCourse is Emeritus Professor of glass science in the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University. He has conducted extensive research in the field of glass strengthening, with a current focus on ion-exchange processing of commercial soda-lime-silica glasses, as described in the May 2025 ACerS Bulletin.

Transitioning niche research to market: Joe Cesarano

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Developing technologies with a deep impact in certain niche areas is arguably just as important as research that has a widespread impact. Joe Cesarano, founder and president of Robocasting Enterprises, explains how he helped develop a 3D ceramic printing method called robocasting at Sandia National Laboratories, provides examples of its applications, and shares tips on how to successfully bring your ideas to market.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Joe Cesarano is founder and president of Robocasting Enterprises in Albuquerque, N.M. The company uses a 3D printing method called robocasting to build different types of ceramic components. The method began as a research project at Sandia National Laboratories, as explained in this video, and Joe successfully transitioned that research into commercial application through his company.

Microwave processing for future lunar colonies: Holly Shulman

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

As we prepare for a future traveling the stars, energy-efficient processing technologies will be a necessity for both those in space and those remaining as Earth’s stewards. Holly Shulman, research professor at Alfred University, shares how she became interested in microwave sintering, describes its benefits compared to conventional sintering processes, and explains how it could support the development of future lunar colonies.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Holly Shulman is research professor at Alfred University and founder, president, and chief technology officer of Bluestar Advanced Manufacturing. She specializes in developing microwave processing technologies, and she was recently named director of the new Space Materials Institute at Alfred University in part due to the potential applications of her research on the moon. She will be giving a talk on microwave processing for lunar construction at the 59th Annual Microwave Power Symposium in June 2025, and she plans to teach an ACerS short course in the near future.

Joining materials and people together: Monica Ferraris

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0500

The rapid advancement of technology has allowed people to more easily join with others in their research community and together support the search for the next big discovery in materials science. Monica Ferraris, full professor at Politecnico di Torino, shares details about her work on the joining and coating of materials, describes her involvement with the ACerS International Italy Chapter, and discusses her plans and goals as president of ACerS this year.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Monica Ferraris is full professor at Politecnico di Torino in Italy and cofounder of the university’s interdepartmental, multidisciplinary research center on advanced joining technologies. Her group studies the joining of similar and dissimilar materials as well as antibacterial and antiviral coatings. She is serving as this year’s president of The American Ceramic Society, and she previously helped cofound the ACerS International Italy Chapter along with Paolo Colombo.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Processing pathways for the next-gen workforce: Tim Powers

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:00:00 -0500

Ceramic and glass manufacturing is a broad field that offers many opportunities for a fulfilling career. Tim Powers, retired engineering design lead at Owens Corning, shares his personal experiences working on some of the most well-known products produced by Corning and Owens Corning and describes how he is now supporting the next generation of the ceramic and glass workforce through the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Tim Powers (retired) was the engineering design lead for glass furnace rebuilds in the Insulation Division at Owens Corning. Throughout his career at Corning and Owens Corning, he worked on some of the companies’ most well-known products, including catalytic converter substrates, Pyrex, and fiberglass insulation. He currently serves as chair-elect of the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation Board.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Electrospinning of breath-based diagnostics: Perena Gouma

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0500

Breath and gas-based diagnostic tools have the potential to revolutionize medical monitoring and diagnosis. Perena Gouma, the Edward Orton Jr., Chair in ceramic engineering at The Ohio State University, describes how she became interested in this area of research, explains how electrospinning can be used to fabricate components for these devices, and shares her passion for educating students and the public about these discoveries.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Perena Gouma is the Edward Orton Jr., Chair in ceramic engineering at The Ohio State University. Her research involves using the nanomanufacturing technique of electrospinning to fabricate ceramics and composites for use in biomedical and environmental applications, including breath and other gas analysis devices. Recently, in collaboration with the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, her group developed a high-throughput electrospinning setup that opens the door to widespread use of this technique.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Driving energy conversion progress through diffraction: Scott Misture

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Energy conversion technologies such as fuel cells and photocatalysts have great potential in the future of zero-carbon transportation. Scott Misture, Inamori Professor of materials science and engineering at Alfred University in New York, discusses the benefits and challenges of adopting this technology, describes how he uses diffraction techniques to study materials for energy conversion applications, and shares his thoughts on the personal and broader benefits of being involved in the materials science community.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Scott Misture is an Inamori Professor of materials science and engineering at Alfred University in New York. His research involves using diffraction techniques to study the dynamic behavior of ceramics and glasses related to energy conversion devices. He is currently chair of the International Center for Diffraction Data, a nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to collecting, editing, publishing, and distributing powder diffraction data for the identification of materials.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Shaping the future with geopolymers: Trudy Kriven

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0400

We currently live in the Age of Plastics, but the recent push to produce and consume materials more sustainably means a new materials age is up for grabs. Trudy Kriven, the Donald Biggar Willett Professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, shares how her passion for research led her on a globetrotting adventure from Australia to Illinois, describes how she now focuses that passion on advancing the development of geopolymers, and explains how she transitions this technology into commercialization through her company Keanetech.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Trudy Kriven is the Donald Biggar Willett Professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research involves phase transformations in inorganic compounds and their applications in structural ceramic composites, geopolymers, and low-temperature synthesis of oxide ceramic powders. Since 2004, she has run a company called Keanetech to transition technologies her group developed at the university into commercialization.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Update 10/03/2024 – Episode updated to better reflect historically accurate information.

Glass recycling challenges and solutions: Collin Wilkinson

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Improving glass recycling rates in the United States is an important but complicated task. Collin Wilkinson, assistant professor of glass science at Alfred University, shares how he became interested in this topic, describes how he uses both modeling and experimentation to develop sustainable solutions, and discusses the importance of involving undergraduate students in the research process.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Collin Wilkinson is assistant professor of glass science and director of the Center for Glass Innovation at Alfred University in New York. He uses both modeling and experimentation to address sustainability challenges in the glass industry, with a focus on glass recycling. He is also involved in building up the Summer Research Institute at Alfred University, which offers unique learning opportunities and research experiences for undergraduate students.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

STEM outreach in rural communities: Katrina Donovan

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Many rural communities have a great need for expanded access to STEM education. Katrina Donovan, faculty member in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, discusses her expansive background across different materials, describes her current research on using local materials to create clays and ceramic glazes, and shares her numerous STEM outreach programs to help inspire and teach students and educators across the state.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Katrina Donovan is faculty member in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Her current research focuses on using local materials to make clays and ceramic glazes. She is passionate about STEM outreach and runs several different programs to support science education in her local community. Learn about some of these programs: STEM experiences for high school students in partnership with the U.S. Army; National Science Foundation grant to incorporate creative ceramic and glass science elements into the undergraduate materials engineering curriculum; and National Science Foundation grant to establish an educational research experience for students that is tied to local South Dakota geology and culture.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Advancing microscopy with machine learning: Sergei Kalinin

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Machine learning has the potential to play a big role in the future of materials discovery and development. Sergei Kalinin, Weston Fulton Professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, shares how his development of advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques led to an interest in machine learning and describes some of the benefits, limitations, and challenges of adopting machine learning for materials research.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Sergei Kalinin is Weston Fulton Professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and chief scientist in artificial intelligence and machine learning for physical sciences at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He previously helped develop several advanced scanning probe microscopy techniques when working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and he now investigates the use of machine learning methods to improve the technique’s downstream applications for materials discovery and optimization. He taught a course on automated experimentation through the ACerS Online Learning Center in spring 2024, and he will teach another course on scanning probe microscopy this fall.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Networking as an emerging professional: Alessandro De Zanet

Wed, 15 May 2024 04:00:00 -0400

There are many ways for students and young professionals to network and build relationships with others in the materials science community. Alessandro De Zanet, Materials Research Fellow at Leonardo Labs, explains how networking led to his involvement in the ceramics field, describes some of the communities he’s involved with in ACerS, and previews the reimagined annual student section of the upcoming June/July 2024 ACerS Bulletin.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Alessandro De Zanet is Materials Research Fellow at Leonardo Labs in Rome, Italy. His research is focused in two areas: adhesion technologies for coatings and for joining of dissimilar materials, and ceramics and ceramic matrix composites. He is currently chair of ACerS Young Professionals Network, and he will be one of the featured authors in the “Emerging Professionals” section of the upcoming June/July 2024 ACerS Bulletin, which publishes June 6.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Modeling materials and meetings engagement: Jessica Rimsza

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Embracing spontaneity in research and networking can be the first step to a successful career. Jessica Rimsza, staff scientist at Sandia National Laboratories, discusses her work on modeling disordered and complex material systems, describes what is involved in organizing a scientific conference, and explains how joining a professional society can help young researchers define their identity as a scientist.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Jessica Rimsza is a staff scientist at Sandia National Laboratories. She works in the Climate Security Division at Sandia, where she models disordered and complex material systems. She is currently chair of ACerS Meetings Committee, which is responsible for planning, developing, and organizing the Society’s conferences.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Lifelong learning in the changing education system: Carl Frahme

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0400

Even as the tools and platforms for education have changed drastically in the past century, the need for programs to upskill employees remains as strong as ever. Carl Frahme, longtime consultant and educator in the ceramic, metals, and materials industries, shares how he first became involved as an instructor for ACerS educational courses, describes how these courses evolved over time, and explains why he finds being a science educator so fulfilling.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Carl Frahme is a long-time consultant and educator in the ceramic, metals, and materials industries. He offers consulting through his company, Frahme Consulting Services, and teaches many of the courses available on ACerS Online Learning Center.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Clay roof tiles inspire past and present passion: David Jensen

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0500

From ancient times till today, terracotta remains a steadfast option for roof tiles. David Jensen, sample coordinator and glaze production scheduler at Ludowici Roof Tile, describes the advantages of and his work on clay roof tiles, shares how he became interested in the history of Ludowici, and explains how that interest led to the discovery of a glass slide collection created by ACerS founder Edward Orton Jr.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
David Jensen is sample coordinator and glaze production scheduler at Ludowici Roof Tile in New Lexington, Ohio. After joining Ludowici, Jensen became the company’s de facto historian, and his research led to a surprise discovery of more than 800 glass sides created by Edward Orton Jr. that provides a look at the ceramics industry in the early 1900s. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is digitizing these slides as part of a Columbus area history project, and people can freely view the digitized slides at this link.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Focusing on the fundamentals: Rajendra Bordia

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 09:00:00 -0500

While planning for the future is important, listening to others and adapting to new opportunities can lead to the most fulfilling and fruitful careers. Rajendra Bordia, the George J. Bishop, III Chair Professor of Ceramics and Materials Engineering at Clemson University, shares his somewhat unplanned pathway from mechanical into ceramic engineering, describes his approach to mentoring students, and discusses his goals as this year’s president of The American Ceramic Society.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Rajendra Bordia is the George J. Bishop, III Chair Professor of Ceramics and Materials Engineering at Clemson University in South Carolina. His research focuses on how processing conditions affect the final microstructure and properties of ceramics, with a specific focus on thermal processing methods. He is currently serving as president of The American Ceramic Society for 2023–2024, a role in which he will lead the Society through the development of a new strategic plan.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Fostering pathways for ceramic engineers: Geoff Brennecka

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:00:00 -0500

Training the next generation of ceramic engineers requires engagement on multiple fronts. Geoff Brennecka, Herman F. Coors Distinguished Professor of Ceramic Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, discusses the importance of having degree programs that focus specifically on ceramics, recalls the history and evolution of ACerS President’s Council of Student Advisors, and describes how the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation’s new Teacher Training Workshops provide K–12 teachers guidance on effective ways to teach materials science.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Geoff Brennecka is the Herman F. Coors Distinguished Professor of Ceramic Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, which recently launched a degree program in ceramic engineering. His group works on the fabrication, characterization, and analysis of advanced dielectrics, ferroelectrics, and piezoelectrics. He is actively involved in ACerS, helping to establish ACerS President’s Council of Student Advisors, and currently serves as chair of the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation Board.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Innovative solutions for low-carbon cement: Shiho Kawashima

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 04:00:00 -0500

With global demand for cement and concrete continuing to rise, there is a similarly increasing focus on the industry’s carbon footprint. Shiho Kawashima, associate professor of civil engineering and engineering mechanics at Columbia University, identifies the main culprits behind high carbon emissions in the cement and concrete industry, outlines several approaches to lowering emissions, and describes the role her research plays in innovating solutions to this challenge.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Shiho Kawashima is associate professor of civil engineering and engineering mechanics at Columbia University in New York. Her research group studies cement rheology and processing, including a recent focus on 3D concrete printing. Their work supports the development of low-carbon cements and concretes. More information on this topic can be found in the U.S. Department of Energy report Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Low-Carbon Cement.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Designing capacitors of the future: Yoshiki Iwazaki

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Multilayer ceramic capacitors, or MLCCs, are at the heart of almost every electronic device today. Yoshiki Iwazaki, senior principal scientist and general manager at Taiyo Yuden in Japan, describes his research on MLCCs using first-principles calculations, discusses the changes that come with transitioning into a managerial role at work, and shares where he sees electroceramics research at Taiyo Yuden headed in the future.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Yoshiki Iwazaki is senior principal scientist and general manager at Japanese materials and electronics company Taiyo Yuden. He uses simulations based on first-principles calculations to study materials and processing of multilayer ceramic capacitors. He is a previous recipient of The American Ceramic Society’s Richard M. Fulrath Award, which promotes technical and personal friendships between professional Japanese and U.S. ceramic engineers and scientists.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Pathways to excellence through research and writing: John Mauro

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Glass is a material with nearly infinite possibilities. John Mauro, Dorothy Pate Enright Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, shares his experience working with glass in the worlds of industry and academia, discusses the do’s and don’ts of publishing your research in journals, and talks about the similarities between scientific and fantasy fiction writing.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
John Mauro is Dorothy Pate Enright Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. Before moving to Penn State six years ago, he spent the first 18 years of his career as a glass scientist at Corning . He has made numerous contributions to the development of new glass systems, including a family called LionGlass that has half the carbon footprint of soda lime silicate glass. In his spare time, Mauro writes reviews of fantasy fiction books. His reviews can be found on Grimdark Magazine, Before We Go Blog, and Goodreads.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Innovation in materials supply: Michael Silver

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Even the most advanced products start with raw materials. Michael Silver, president and CEO of American Elements, explains how he became involved in the materials supply chain, describes what comprises innovation at a materials supply company, and discusses how these companies handle some of the most challenging market factors affecting industries right now.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Michael Silver is president and CEO of American Elements, a global manufacturer and distributor of advanced materials. Silver founded American Elements in the 1990s and has personally experienced the growth in importance that materials suppliers play in today’s global market.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Specialty glasses for healthcare and more: Steven Jung

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Since the discovery of bioactive glasses in the 1960s, specialty glass manufacturer Mo-Sci has played a key role in bringing these materials to market. Steven Jung, chief technology officer at Mo-Sci, overviews the history of the company, discusses the science behind some of their well-known products, and describes how the company develops specialty glass products for a variety of end-user industries.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Steven Jung is chief technology officer at Mo-Sci, a specialty glass manufacturer located in Rolla, Mo. Throughout his career, Jung has helped develop dozens of glass-based healthcare innovations, including the world’s first bioactive glass-based wound care product, MIRRAGEN.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

New technologies for nuclear energy: Rita Baranwal

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Nuclear power has been an important contributor to the U.S. energy portfolio since the 1950s, but few nuclear reactors have been built in recent decades. Rita Baranwal, senior vice president for energy systems at Westinghouse Electric Company, provides an overview of the nuclear power industry today, talks about the emerging focus on small modular reactors as well as full-size plants, and describes the new technologies that Westinghouse is developing to support the future of low-carbon energy.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Rita Baranwal is senior vice president for energy systems at Westinghouse Electric Company. She is responsible for the development of the company’s new AP300 small modular reactor, which you can learn more about in this video. Baranwal recently served as assistant secretary of nuclear energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, from July 2019 to January 2021.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Manufacturing innovation at US national labs: Chris Heckle

Wed, 17 May 2023 04:00:00 -0400

The U.S. national laboratory system serves a unique role in the country’s research and development landscape. Chris Heckle, director of the new Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center at Argonne National Lab, talks about how the national labs contribute to the innovation ecosystem, overviews the research that takes place at Argonne specifically, and describes how the new Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center aims to improve and expand the labs’ support for industry.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Chris Heckle is director of the Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center at Argonne National Lab. She came to Argonne from Corning Inc., where she served as research director for inorganic materials research and Asia research labs. The Materials Manufacturing Innovation Center is a new initiative at Argonne that aims to accelerate the scale-up of advanced materials and process technologies. Learn more about working with the Center at this link.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Space, the new frontier for business: Jonathan Volk

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0400

Government space agencies traditionally drive most space exploration, but new entrepreneurs see opportunity to create space-based businesses. Jonathan Volk, senior manager of in-space manufacturing and advanced materials at commercial space company Sierra Space, talks about how he became involved with the commercial space industry, outlines Sierra Space’s vision for commercializing space, and considers the broader impacts of making space a more accessible destination.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Jonathan Volk is senior manager of in-space manufacturing and advanced materials at Sierra Space, a commercial space company headquartered in Colorado. Sierra Space aims to develop in-space vehicles, platforms, and capabilities to improve life on Earth.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

The everlasting relevance of brick: John Sanders

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 10:00:00 -0500

More than one hundred years since The American Ceramic Society began, brick remains an integral—and interesting—part of today’s built world. John Sanders, director of the National Brick Research Center at Clemson University, shares how he became interested in researching brick and other clay-based construction materials, overviews what takes place at the National Brick Research Center, and discusses how brick is positioned to help support our sustainable future.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
John Sanders is director of the National Brick Research Center and associate professor at Clemson University, S.C. At the industrially funded Center, he helps oversee the provision of research, education, and services to producers and users of bricks and other clay-based construction materials.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Actions for a sustainable future: Jürgen Rödel

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 04:00:00 -0500

What will it take to mitigate the effects of climate change? Jürgen Rödel, professor and ceramics group leader at the Technical University of Darmstadt, discusses the most concerning effects of climate change, shares how he became active in advocating for sustainability, and describes what individual and organizational actions can be taken to preserve the Earth for future generations.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Jürgen Rödel is professor and ceramics group leader at the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany. His group studies lead-free piezoceramics and their use in energy storage applications, as well as dislocation-based functionalities of ceramic materials. In recent years, he has become a passionate advocate for sustainability while recognizing the complex interweave of economic, geographic, political, and technological factors. He published a “Letter to the editor” on this topic in the September 2022 Bulletin. For more information, read the sixth assessment report on climate change published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2022, and learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Big picture, small scale—connecting materials and communities: Sanjay Mathur

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 04:00:00 -0500

When transitioning from student life to your professional career, finding supportive mentors in your community is key. Sanjay Mathur, director of the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Cologne in Germany, shares his experiences mentoring students, reviews his current research on hybrid material interfaces and their properties, and talks about how societies like ACerS provide additional support for students and help them lay the groundwork for a professional career.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Sanjay Mathur is director of the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Cologne, Germany. His research group studies functionalization of nanocrystalline powders for energy and biomedical applications. As 2022–2023 ACerS president, Mathur's aims to help ACerS sharpen its value proposition and find ways to connect to younger communities.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Deformable ceramics and next-gen functionalities: Xufei Fang

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 04:00:00 -0500

What if ceramics are not as brittle as conventionally believed? Xufei Fang, junior group leader in the nonmetallic inorganic materials research group at the Technical University of Darmstadt, shares how his background in metals positioned him to pursue the study of dislocations in ceramics, reviews his current research in the TU Darmstadt group led by Jürgen Rödel, and describes initiatives underway to educate the larger ceramics community about this research field.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Xufei Fang is junior group leader in the nonmetallic inorganic materials research group led by Jürgen Rödel at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. He studies dislocation-based functionality of ceramic materials and their mechanical properties. He and colleagues recently established a master's course on ceramic dislocations, as well as helped organize sessions at several meetings on this topic.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Exploring space and the future of travel: Valerie Wiesner

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 04:00:00 -0400

While astronauts have some of the most public-facing roles at NASA, what other research takes place behind the scenes to make launching into space possible? Valerie Wiesner, research materials engineer at NASA Langley Research Center, shares how she became involved with the materials side of space research, describes working on mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of lunar dust, and gives her thoughts on what to expect from space exploration and travel in the coming years.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Valerie Wiesner is research materials engineer at the Advanced Materials and Processing Branch of the NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia. This summer, she served in a temporary position as acting assistant branch head of the Crew Systems and Aviation Operations Branch at Langley. She is actively involved in ACerS Engineering Ceramics Division, including serving as chair of the 44th International Conference and Exposition on Advanced Ceramics and Composites in 2020.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Discovering the magic in ceramic science and art: Ryan Coppage

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 04:00:00 -0400

What are the benefits and challenges of researching and publishing about ceramics from both an art and science perspective? Ryan Coppage, director of introductory and inorganic laboratories at the University of Richmond, shares how he became involved in both the art and science side of ceramics, describes his research on ceramic glazes, and talks about the new book he just published with The American Ceramic Society’s International Ceramic Artists Network.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Ryan Coppage is director of introductory and inorganic laboratories at the University of Richmond in Virginia—and also a ceramic artist! He is drawn to the Venn diagram overlap between science and art, and he currently works on research projects that are frequently split between the University of Richmond and the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, developing low metal-loading color alternatives for ceramic surfaces. He just a book published with The American Ceramic Society’s International Ceramic Artists Network titled “The Anatomy of a Good Pot.”

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Materials research for space and in space: Rick Weber

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0400

To develop materials that function in extreme environments, scientists need instruments capable of measuring material properties in those environments as well. Rick Weber, president and founder of Materials Development Incorporated, describes how his company develops instruments to test materials in extreme environments, discusses some recent experiments they have on the International Space Station, and shares what he thinks the future of materials science research in space will look like.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Rick Weber is president and founder of Materials Development Incorporated in Evanston, Illinois. The company develops instruments for measuring thermophysical properties of materials in extreme environments and provides technical support to clients working with advanced materials, as well as conducts its own materials research. Weber and his team currently are helping to conduct two experiments on the International Space Station.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Modern techniques reveal historic secrets: Katherine Faber

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Materials scientists often look ahead to the next big thing—but sometimes looking back may inspire future research. Katherine Faber, Simon Ramo Professor of Materials Science at the California Institute of Technology, shares her journey to researching ceramic materials, how she got involved with studying objects of cultural heritage, and describes some of her recent projects.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Katherine Faber is the Simon Ramo Professor of Materials Science at the California Institute of Technology. Her group focuses on the fracture of brittle materials and mechanisms by which such materials can be toughened and strengthened. Their studies comprise ceramics for energy-related applications, including thermal and environmental barrier coatings; porous solids for filters and flow; and scientific studies of cultural heritage objects. She is an ACerS Distinguished Life Member and past ACerS president (2006–2007).

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Advancing the Age of Glass: Mathieu Hubert

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Now halfway through the International Year of Glass, glass scientists are looking to carry the momentum beyond this year to advance the future Age of Glass. Mathieu Hubert, glass development scientist and development program manager at Corning, shares how he came to a career in researching advanced glasses, the challenges in educating more people about these materials, and how he helps support the next generation of glass scientists.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Mathieu Hubert is a glass development scientist and development program manager at Corning Inc. Since joining ACerS in 2011, he has been heavily involved in the Society, from organizing sessions and symposia for the Glass & Optical Materials Division Annual Meeting and serving as a mentor in the mentoring program run by ACerS President’s Council of Student Advisors.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

The Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation: Marcus Fish

Wed, 11 May 2022 04:00:00 -0400

As the current generation of materials scientists approaches retirement, it’s essential to inspire a new generation to take up the reins. Marcus Fish, development director at the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation, talks about the history of the Foundation, its mission, and its projects and initiatives to excite students about careers as ceramic and glass professionals.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Marcus Fish is development director at the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation (CGIF). The American Ceramic Society launched CGIF in 2014 to attract, inspire, and support the next generation of ceramic and glass professionals. Since its inception, CGIF has launched programs in student outreach, international student exchanges, travel grants, student leadership development, a university-industry network, and its online Ceramic and Glass Career Center. Learn more about CGIF here and donate to the Foundation here.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Engineering surfaces using thermal spray: Christopher Berndt

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Every artifact in the universe has a surface, and modifying that surface can endow an object with new and improved properties. Christopher Berndt, Distinguished Professor of Surface Science and Engineering at Swinburne University of Technology, describes the use of thermal spray technologies to coat surfaces, the challenges companies face implementing these technologies on an industrial scale, and what is in store for the future of this field.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Christopher Berndt is Distinguished Professor of Surface Science and Engineering at Swinburne University of Technology and director of the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials. He has conducted research in the field of surface engineering for close to 45 years, and specifically the application of coatings using thermal spray technologies (examples of recent papers on this topic here and here). He recently was awarded the 2021 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation in the Physical Sciences.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

The Glass of Wine: Jim and Penelope Shackelford

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 04:00:00 -0500

For centuries glass has been the material of choice for storing, shipping, and sipping wine. How did that come to pass, and why? Jim and Penelope Shackelford, authors of the ACerS-Wiley book “The Glass of Wine,” share how they developed a lifelong appreciation of wine, discuss the many intersections between winemaking and wine enjoyment that involve glass, and touch on how ceramics play a role in winemaking as well.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guests
Jim Shackelford is an ACerS Fellow and Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Davis. Penelope Shackelford is a former teacher who served as an arts writer for Davis Enterprise, Artweek, and other national arts publications and as associate editor for arts for the journal Multicultural Education. Their book, “The Glass of Wine: The Science, Technology, and Art of Glassware for Transporting and Enjoying Wine,” published by ACerS-Wiley, is available at this link.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Welcome to IYOG 2022: Kathleen Richardson and Manoj Choudhary

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 04:00:00 -0500

In May 2021, the United Nations declared 2022 the International Year of Glass. University of Central Florida professor Kathleen Richardson and The Ohio State University professor Manoj Choudhary discuss the importance of glass in our lives, give the history of IYOG, and preview some of the events taking place to celebrate this International Year.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guests
Kathleen Richardson is Pegasus Professor of Optics and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Central Florida and past president of The American Ceramic Society. Manoj Choudhary is retired from a research career at Owens Corning and currently an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University. Richardson and Choudhary serve on the North American Steering Committee for IYOG, which is coordinating IYOG events in the United States and Canada. Learn more about the International Year of Glass at https://ceramics.org/iyog. Tune in for a livestream of the opening ceremonies in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 10 and 11 at https://iyog2022oc.org.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Holistic academia—teaching, research, mentoring: Beth Dickey

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 04:00:00 -0500

Being a professor requires you to wear many hats, including being a teacher, researcher, mentor, and possibly more. Beth Dickey, Teddy & Wilton Hawkins Distinguished Professor and department head of materials science & engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, describes her work to attract and retain the next generation of materials scientists, including by incorporating data science into university materials science curricula, developing new faculty mentorship programs, and in a variety of leadership roles in The American Ceramic Society.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Beth Dickey is the Teddy & Wilton Hawkins Distinguished Professor and department head of materials science & engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research group uses electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to develop processing–structure–property relationships for materials in which the macroscopic physical properties are governed by point defects, grain boundaries, or internal interfaces. As 2021–2022 ACerS president, one of Dickey's main goals is to begin implementing the new ACerS strategic plan.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

How to craft a strategic plan: Mark Mecklenborg and Dana Goski

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 04:00:00 -0500

Strategic plans are a crucial tool for businesses to track their progress toward certain goals, but how do you develop a strategic plan? ACerS executive director Mark Mecklenborg and past president Dana Goski share how the new strategic plan for ACerS was developed, its top-level goals, and how the Society will start working with the plan.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guests
Mark Mecklenborg is executive director at The American Ceramic Society. Dana Goski is ACerS past president and vice president of research and development at Allied Mineral Products, a global monolithic refractory producer headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Mecklenborg and Goski helped lead the process to develop ACerS’ new strategic plan, which the Board of Directors approved in September 2021. View a high-level overview of the plan at this link, and find ways to get involved with supporting the plan here. Questions? Contact Mecklenborg at mmecklenborg@ceramics.org.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Superheroes and open access inspire research: Ricardo Castro

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 04:00:00 -0500

Inspiring research in materials science works best when the information is relatable and easily accessible. Ricardo Castro, professor of materials science and engineering at the University of California, Davis, describes how a jet engine demonstration piqued his interest in ceramics, why he uses superheroes to teach students about materials, and discusses the importance of open-access publishing to facilitating science research.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Ricardo Castro is professor of materials science and engineering at the University of California, Davis. His research group focuses on the processing and properties of nanoceramics. He has launched several programs to grow student interest in materials science using superheroes, such as the Engineering Superheroes series. He is also editor-in-chief of ACerS' open-access journal, International Journal of Ceramic Engineering & Science.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Building cross-border research communities: Olivia Graeve

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 04:00:00 -0400

While increased innovation is a desirable outcome of a diverse workforce, the compassion and understanding that arise is what will truly help us break down walls and build a better world. Olivia Graeve, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, San Diego, discusses her life growing up in Tijuana, Mexico, why she believes compassion is the key to a diverse community, and describes her work building bridges between Mexico and the U.S. as director of the CaliBaja Center for Resilient Materials & Systems.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Olivia Graeve is professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, San Diego, and director of the CaliBaja Center for Resilient Materials & Systems. Her research group focuses on the design, development, and manufacturing of materials in extreme environments. The CaliBaja Center is a binational research institute that hosts both research and educational activities to connect students in Mexico and the United States.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Diversifying energy sources and workforce: Sossina Haile

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 04:00:00 -0400

Diversifying both energy sources and workforce are necessary as we move toward a sustainable future. Sossina Haile, Walter P. Murphy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, discusses her work on fuel cell technology, her experience as an immigrant pursuing science in the United States, and some tips for supporting diversification in both of these areas.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Sossina Haile is Walter P. Murphy Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University in Illinois. Her research group focuses on solid-state electric chemistry for sustainable energy purposes. Haile is a member of the ACerS Diversity & Inclusion Subcommittee. Also, learn more about the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Energy Earthshot to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Teaching science through experience: Adelle Schade

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 04:00:00 -0400

Sometimes the best way to learn is through doing something yourself. Adelle Schade, director of the Science Research Institute at Albright College, describes the importance of experiential learning in science education, her journey to founding SRI, and some of the student successes from the program so far.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Adelle Schade is dean of precollege and summer programs at Albright College in Pennsylvania and director of the Science Research Institute at Albright. She started SRI a little over six years ago at Conrad Weiser High School, and the program has now expanded to Albright College to accommodate more students and teachers. Schade credits the late Ted Day for his "huge" influence on the program.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

A teacher’s thoughts on glass and money: Steve Feller

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 04:00:00 -0400

While focusing on a topic is important when pursuing a Ph.D., you should give yourself the freedom to explore other interests as well. Steve Feller, B.D. Silliman Professor of Physics at Coe College, describes the benefits of pursuing teaching opportunities during his physics graduate studies, his use of NMR in glass research, and how his interest in numismatics led to numerous research projects and publications in that field as well.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Steve Feller is B.D. Silliman Professor of Physics at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was instrumental in developing an extensive NSF-funded glass research program at Coe over the last 40 years. In addition to his glass research, Feller studies numismatics and has published a book on civilian camp money of World War II with his daughter Rachel, which is now the standard book in that area.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Materials Genome Initiative 10 years later: James Warren

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 04:00:00 -0400

Started in 2011, the Materials Genome Initiative (MGI) aims to accelerate the pace of new materials development. James Warren, director of the Materials Genome Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, talks about how he became involved with the MGI, describes the initiative's goals and successes, and considers what the next decade holds for the MGI.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
James Warren is director of the Materials Genome Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He has been involved with the Materials Genome Initiative since its inception, and he continues to play a central role in guiding the initiative into its second decade. Additional parts from Warren's interview can be found in the June/July 2021 issue of the ACerS Bulletin.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Thermodynamics in the classroom and lab: Scott McCormack

Wed, 12 May 2021 04:00:00 -0400

Finding the way that you learn best can help you to achieve goals that may once have seemed out of reach. Scott McCormack, assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the University of California, Davis, discusses how he overcame learning challenges during his elementary school years, how he helps his own students learn the sometimes scary topic of thermodynamics, and his experience setting up a university research program as a young professor.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Scott McCormack is assistant professor of materials science and engineering at the University of California, Davis. His research group at UC Davis studies ceramics in extreme environments, specializing in characterization of thermochemical and thermophysical properties. McCormack previously chaired ACerS President’s Council of Student Advisors and is now chair of ACerS Northern California Section, which he helped to reinvigorate with ACerS past president Sylvia Johnson.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Ceramics in Thailand: Rattikorn Yimnirun and colleagues

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 04:00:00 -0400

Thailand is known for its traditional ceramics industry—but there are signs that research in more advanced ceramic technologies is taking off as well. Rattikorn Yimnirun, dean of the School of Energy Science and Engineering at Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, and his colleagues Naratip Vittayakorn and Jakrapong Kaewkhao discuss the current state of the ceramics industry in Thailand, how they cofounded the Thailand Chapter of ACerS, and what role they see the Chapter playing in the country’s local ceramic community.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guests
Rattikorn Yimnirun is dean of the School of Energy Science and Engineering at Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology in Rayong, Thailand. He is chair of the ACerS Thailand Chapter, which he cofounded with Profs. Kaewkhao and Vittayakorn in 2019. In December 2020, the Thailand Chapter made its introduction to the larger ACerS community during the 5th International Conference on Smart Materials and Nanotechnology (SmartMat@2020) in Thailand. Learn more about the Thailand Chapter on their Facebook page.

Jakrapong Kaewkhao is professor of physics and head of the Center of Excellence in Glass Technology and Materials Science in Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. He is vice chair of the ACerS Thailand Chapter.

Naratip Vittayakorn is professor of materials science at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang in Bangkok, Thailand. He is academic chair of the ACerS Thailand Chapter.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Scanning TEM unlocks grain boundary secrets: Yuichi Ikuhara

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 04:00:00 -0500

Advances in transmission electron microscopy allow researchers to explore the structure of materials at atomic resolutions—and improvements in TEM continue to be made. Yuichi Ikuhara, professor of engineering innovation at the University of Tokyo, discusses his work using scanning TEM to characterize grain boundaries in ceramics, the recent advances that have greatly improved this technique's resolution capabilities, and where he sees TEM headed in the future.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Yuichi Ikuhara is professor of engineering innovation at the University of Tokyo, Japan. His group researches the mechanical and functional properties of materials using scanning transmission electron microscopy. An ACerS Fellow, Ikuhara is a member of the Basic Science Division and a firm believer in studying both materials science and microscopy techniques in order to fully understand the properties of materials.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Why science communication matters: Taylor Sparks and Andrew Falkowski

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 04:00:00 -0500

What does it take to communicate science effectively? Taylor Sparks and Andrew Falkowski, associate professor and BS/MS student, respectively, at the University of Utah, discuss how they got into the field of materials science, what led them to start their podcast Materialism, and offer ways for scientists to improve their science communication skills.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guests
Taylor Sparks is associate professor and associate chair of the materials science and engineering department and associate director of the Materials Characterization Lab at the University of Utah. His research focuses primarily on the discovery, synthesis, and characterization of new materials for energy applications. In addition to co-hosting the podcast Materialism with Falkowski, Sparks has a YouTube channel where he posts materials science lectures.

Andrew Falkowski is a BS/MS student in the materials science and engineering department at the University of Utah. His research focuses on using computational methods to explore new, more advanced materials. Falkowski co-hosts Materialism with Sparks.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Ceramics in the family: Greg and Ashley Hilmas

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 04:00:00 -0500

What is it like to pursue the same degree as your parent—or to have your child working in a field similar to yours? Dad and daughter duo Greg and Ashley Hilmas, university professor and government research materials engineer, respectively, describe their similar journeys to becoming ceramic engineers, how their career paths diverged after earning their Ph.D.'s , and what it is like working in the same niche field.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guests
Greg Hilmas is Curator's Professor of Ceramic Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. His research focuses on ultrahigh-temperature ceramics and their composites. Two of Hilmas' three daughters, including Ashley, are following in his footsteps to become ceramic engineers.

Ashley Hilmas is a research materials engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. Her research focuses on SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites. Hilmas has been an ACerS member since her undergraduate years, and in graduate school she served as committee chair and chair of ACerS President's Council of Student Advisors.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Leading a Global Refractories Company: Carol Jackson

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 04:00:00 -0500

Being the CEO of a corporation takes more than a degree and managerial experience. Carol Jackson, chair and CEO of HarbisonWalker International, describes her pathway to becoming the CEO of a global refractories company, the challenges of operating during a global pandemic, and why she believes in cultivating a strong corporate culture.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Carol Jackson is chair and CEO of HarbisonWalker International, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa. She currently is serving a two-year term as chair of the World Refractories Association. In both roles, Jackson is actively involved in education efforts to increase societal awareness of refractories and their importance, including with HarbisonWalker's own podcast, High Temperature Times.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Research and Education for Nuclear Waste: Charmayne Lonergan

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 04:00:00 -0500

If nuclear energy is to become a major contributor to the energy portfolio, we must find ways to safely and effectively dispose of the radioactive waste it generates. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory materials scientist Charmayne Lonergan discusses what she's learning through her research on vitrifying Cold War era nuclear waste at PNNL, how the laboratory helps educate the public about this technology, and her goals as a STEM Ambassador to increase diversity in the sciences.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Charmayne Lonergan is a materials scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington. Outside of her work on the vitrification of nuclear waste, Lonergan serves as a PNNL STEM Ambassador, co-chair of the ACerS Young Professionals Network Steering Committee, and on the ACerS Publications Committee. Check out displays that PNNL's STEM Ambassadors use when talking to the community about their work here.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

How to Build an Additive Manufacturing Company: Johannes Homa

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Additive manufacturing is a hot topic in the ceramics industry right now, but that was not always the case. Johannes Homa, cofounder and CEO of Lithoz GmbH in Vienna, Austria, describes his journey to launching the ceramic additive manufacturing company in 2011, some of the challenges that he and his business partner had to overcome, and why he sees a very bright future for the additive manufacturing of ceramics.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Johannes Homa is cofounder and CEO of Lithoz in Vienna, Austria. Homa became interested in the additive manufacturing of ceramics during grad school and launched Lithoz with his cofounding partner, Johannes Benedikt, in 2011. The company is actively involved in education efforts to increase public and market awareness of the opportunities ceramic additive manufacturing offers.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Local Manufacturing in a Global Economy: Matt Creedon

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Global collaboration is important, but local manufacturing has its place as well. Washington Mills R&D manager Matthew (Matt) Creedon explains what it is like being a local manufacturer in an increasingly global economy, how R&D takes place at Washington Mills, and why he believes the importance of a ceramic engineer is being more appreciated.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Matt Creedon is R&D manager at Washington Mills in central Massachusetts. As R&D manager, Creedon explores new materials that are fabricated via fusion. Creedon is currently chair of ACerS Manufacturing Division and was chair of the Western New York Section in 2019.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Intercultural Collaboration Benefits Science: Tessa Davey

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Science is a global endeavor—especially in today's world. Tohoku University assistant professor Theresa (Tessa) Davey discusses the importance of intercultural collaboration, her work using the CALPHAD method, and why she sees diversity and equity as keys to advancing science in the future.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Tessa Davey is assistant professor at Tohoku University in Japan. As a researcher in Tohoku's Fracture and Reliability Research Institute, Davey specializes in using the CALPHAD method, a semi-empirical approach for modeling thermodynamic properties and phase diagrams of multicomponent systems. Davey served as the first international chair of ACerS President's Council of Student Advisors, and she is passionate about promoting intercultural collaboration, diversity, and equity in STEM fields.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Integrating Research for a Greener, Cleaner World: Clive Randall

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Materials research is about more than technical impact—it’s about having a human impact as well. Director of the Materials Research Institute at The Pennsylvania State University Clive Randall discusses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between scientific fields, his work on cold sintering, and his experience as a first-generation college student.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Clive Randall is director of the Materials Research Institute at The Pennsylvania State University, which encourages a culture of strong collaborations across disciplines. A first-generation college student, Randall looks to emphasize the human impact of materials research and how it helps improve people's lives. He is co-chair of the ACerS Humanitarian Activities Network and led creation of a video on the topic of waterborne diseases and low-cost ceramic water filters that is suitable for all educational levels.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Why We Like Two-Year Tech Degrees: Dana Goski

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 04:00:00 -0400

The global refractories industry offers many fulfilling career paths with opportunities from two-year degree technicians to PhD R&D. Allied Mineral Products vice president of research and development Dana Goski shares the value of two-year technician programs, the importance of and opportunities offered by the refractories industry, and her experience as a woman in the field.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Dana Goski is vice president of research and development at Allied Mineral Products, a global monolithic refractory producer headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Originally from Canada, Goski is an ardent supporter of science and engineering educational outreach activities and appears in the 2016 book "Successful Women Ceramic and Glass Scientists and Engineers: 100 Inspirational Profiles." Goski serves on the North American executive committee for the Unified International Technical Conference on Refractories (UNITECR), received ACerS St. Louis Section Refractories Theodore J. Planje Award in 2019, and will serve as ACerS president 2020–2021.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Aircraft Ceramics at NASA and University: Beth Opila

Wed, 13 May 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Did you know ceramics play a vital role in protecting aircraft engines? University of Virginia professor Beth Opila discusses her work on ultrahigh-temperature ceramics at both NASA and university, how good research comes from weaving together ideas from a variety of sources, and her suggestions for students unsure of what career to pursue.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Elizabeth "Beth" Opila is professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Virginia since 2010. Before joining the faculty at UVA, Opila was a materials research scientist at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, for 19 years. Her research focuses on thermodynamics and kinetics of high-temperature water vapor interactions with metals and ceramics as well as oxidation mechanisms of silicon-based ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, and ultrahigh-temperature ceramics. Learn more about her research here.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Ceramic Tech Chat Introduction

Wed, 13 May 2020 04:00:00 -0400

Ceramic Tech Chat is a new monthly podcast by The American Ceramic Society that gives you a look at ceramic and glass materials through the eyes of our members. For the guests on our show, being a ceramic scientist or engineer is more than just a job description—it’s the culmination of interesting and sometimes roundabout journeys to a career that lets them make a big impact on today’s world. Through our chats, we get a look into their unique and personal stories of how they found their way to careers in ceramics and learn what they discovered personally, professionally, and scientifically along the way.

View the transcript for this episode here.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.