Glass & Ceramics News

...thanks to new ceramic dishes. Normally, the dish is transparent to microwave energy, causing food to lose heat to the dish. Japan's Saga Ceramic Research Lab has overcome this problem with dishes made of sintered petalite and magnetite. Rice prepared in a microwave cooker of this material takes half the time.

The European Space Agency is taking a down-to-earth look at the oxygen sensors deployed on spacecraft re-entry vehicles. Terrestrial applications for the mini-sensors include fuel cell development and exhaust gas monitoring. They also appear promising in medical and sports applications due to their ability to immediately measure oxygen, CO₂, and the flow of human breath.

It turns out stained glass windows from medieval Europe — specifically, those painted with gold — do have a purifying effect. Sunlight activates the magnetic field on the paint's gold particles, actually turning the windows into photocatalytic air purifiers. This reaction, just discovered, may open new research possibilities.

In light of rising energy costs and climate change, Glasstec 2008, to be held next month in Germany, takes on added significance. Photovoltaics, solar energy products, and new glazing technologies will impact the future. To find out how, join the industry's key players and come to Düsseldorf for this critical international event.

Fused silica crucibles, integral to the photovoltaics process, eliminate the possibility of silicon contamination. Drying, firing, and cooling the crucibles, consequently, demands that the kiln be equipped with specialized burners and controls. These maximize firing efficiency and ensure products of the highest purity.

Conventional magnetic sensors don't work at high temperatures. But an unexpected phenomenon, uncovered by research at the University of Chicago, has helped scientists "harness the effects of disorder." The hope is this research will lead to high-temperature magnetic sensors able to operate in the ceramic engines of future automobiles and aircraft.

If all goes according to plan, MIT engineers could soon be harvesting the sun's energy from building windows. Their luminescent solar concentrator mixes multiple dyes to absorb light "across a range of wavelengths." Painted onto a window pane, the dyes transport the energy, re-emitted at a different wavelength, to surrounding solar cells.

To be demonstrated at this month's Euro PM2008: In-mold labeling of a metal film with ceramic powder feedstock. Arburg's powder injection molding process combines metal and ceramic powder to achieve high strength and ensure high surface quality. Key to success: materials compatible with the same sintering procedure.

If you have a kiln need — such as transforming an inefficient old-style kiln into a high-performing kiln that cuts fuel consumption — send Ralph Ruark an e-mail message. A fixture with the Ceramic Industry editorial team over the years, Ruark is a technical consultant to ceramic manufacturers and kiln companies, helping them reduce energy costs. As he says, "stop counting paper clips" and get serious about investing in kiln energy reduction.

Who says? A particle accelerator at France's National Centre for Particle Research. By analyzing X-rays emitted from wine bottles, scientists can determine the bottle's age and verify vintage. Not to worry — the testing method is strictly non-destructive.

Kill a Tree, Build a Chair

Designer Philippe Starck touts polycarbonate as the greener material, compared to products made of bioplastic ("which comes from something that people eat") or wood ("the stupidity of the ecological movement"). Why is he right... or wrong?