Selected Emerging Opportunities for Ceramics in Energy, Environment, and Transportation

Abstract

Novel ceramic materials and advanced techniques for processing them and controlling their microstructure are breaking new ground in the areas of energy, environment, and transportation. For example, terahertz (THz) properties of ceramic materials and advanced structures reveal their potential for sensing in energy and environmental applications as well as local communication networks in transportation. Emerging opportunities for the development of improved porous ceramics for engine emissions control are discussed in particular, in consideration of the key role that this technology has with respect to global environmental and transportation concerns. Moreover, it is anticipated that advanced ceramics and composites of certain classes will enable innovation in nuclear energy by providing breakthrough accident-tolerant features. In this article, we highlight these three areas of ceramics that are critical to the future and also show promise for growth.

New insight into the modification of pore structure in porous ceramics prepared from fly ash rich in CaO

“…Among them, directly addition of pore‐forming agent is a simple strategy to increase the open porosity of ceramics . Moreover, the pore structure of porous ceramics, which is the key parameter in their applications, can be effectively modified using pore‐forming agents …”

“…[14] Moreover, the pore structure of porous ceramics, which is the key parameter in their applications, can be effectively modified using pore-forming agents. [15][16][17] Fly ash is a type of solid waste discharged from coal fired power plants with an annual worldwide emission of nearly 750 million tons. [18] With the increasing use of lignite and subbituminous coal in coal fired power plants, a large amount of fly ash rich in CaO is generated.…”

Fabrication of Porous Al2O3 Ceramics with Submicron-Sized Pores Using a Water-Based Gelcasting Method

“…Porous materials (including ceramic, metallic and polymeric types) are being developed and employed in different fields [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Among these types of porous materials, many researchers are investigating porous ceramics [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. To date, many methods have been developed to prepare porous ceramics.…”

The synthesis of alumina membrane with interconnected uniform pores from inactive spheres

“…The uniformity and connectivity of pores in membrane is critical to the filtration performance, while defect pores caused by uneven shrinkage exist in most commonly available materials. The uneven shrinkage is consistent with the irregular shape and porous structure of employed particles.…”