Ceramics at the Microscale: State-of-the-Art in Processing, Properties and Microsctructure

This first Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) on Solid State Studies in Ceramics, "Ceramics at the Microscale", is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and early-career scientists and faculty to present and exchange cutting-edge research and ideas in a highly-stimulating environment.

Ceramics are enabling global technological advances, from more efficient jet engines to miniaturized electronics and sensors; from membranes, batteries and fuel cells for cleaner energy to better implants and drug-delivery systems. Understanding the micro-scale features of ceramics is crucial to these innovations and to developing new ceramics and ceramic devices.

The GRS will connect researchers from disparate fields working on diverse ceramics and microstructures with widely varying properties to a common theme. Organized, presented, and discussed by emerging scientists, topics will include the design, fabrication, characterization and properties of complex, innovative microstructures. An emphasis will be placed on fundamentals, especially microstructure development and interactions during processing and sintering (i.e. grain and pore growth, impurities, stresses).

The format will be interactive with ample networking opportunities. A career panel will also be available to provide insights on research and industry-oriented career paths. Participants will leave with a better understanding of ceramic microstructures and the state-of-the-art in microstructure engineering, and they will be better prepared for the associated GRC.