Indentation techniques have become widely used in the characterization of brittle solids due to their simplicity, cost effectiveness, rapidness, and maybe most importantly, the indenter itself can be used as a mechanical microprobe in thin films, interfaces, grain boundaries, and nanocomposites. The papers in these proceedings cover measurement techniques, reliability of, and problems associated with this testing method. Also included is the application of nano-indentation technique, as a new frontier in brittle solids characterization, e.g., thin film and nano-composite materials....

This proceedings volume contains papers on the current research and development in the area of glass and optical materials. Papers include topics on glasses for bioapplications, glass fibers for optical and insulating applications, glass-ceramics, phosphate glasses, patent searching, and more.

This proceedings contains papers presented at the Advanced Dielectric Materials: Design, Preparation, Processing and Applications; and Advanced Dielectrics for Wireless Communications symposia. Topics include design of material, materials synthesis and processing, processing-microstructure-property relationship, multilayer device materials, thin and thick films, device applications, low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC)for multilayer devices, microwave dielectric materials and much more.

Contained in this proceeding is a variety of papers that discuss recent advances in ceramic matrix composites. Topics include processing, characterization, geopolymers, evnironmental effects, coatings, and mechanical properties.

This proceedings contains papers presented at the Ceramic/Glass Science and Technology for Nuclear and Environmental Industries symposium. Topics include nuclear and environmental technology applications in the ceramic industry; nuclear waste forms and fuels processing and technology - ceramic forms; nuclear waste forms processing and technology - steam reforming; panel discussion on nuclear waste forms durability, testing, and disposal status; nuclear waste forms and fuels processing and technology - glass forms; and advances in nuclear waste form testing and characterization methods.

This proceedings includes papers presented at the Innovative Processing and Synthesis of Ceramics, Glasses and Composites symposium. Topics include powders, films, coatings, fibers, composites, and functionally graded materials; sol-gel, polymer precursor, and soft chemistry techniques; novel processing and microstructure-property relationships; reaction forming, combustion synthesis, and CVD; oxidation of metals and mechanical alloying; electrophoresis and plasma processing; and mechanism and kinetics of processes.

Contains papers on the development and incorporation of ceramic materials for armor applications. Topics include impact and penetration modeling, dynamic and static testing to predict performance, damage characterization, non-destructive evaluation and novel material concepts.

This proceedings contains papers presented at the Electronics in Extreme Environments, International Fuel Cells and Related Systems, and Advanced Dielectrics for Wireless Communications symposia.

These proceedings investigate the relationship between features at the atomic level including oxygen vacancies, stacking faults and site order/disorder, grain boundaries, film-substrate interactions, buffer-superconductor interactions, thermodynamic, transport, and other macroscopic properties.

This issue of the Ceramic Transactions compiles 41 papers covering a rich diversity of the sintering science and technology topics. These papers were presented at the International Conference on Sintering, November 16-20, 2008 in La Jolla, California.

The Ceramic Transactions series contains a collection of papers dealing with issues in both traditional ceramics (i.e., glass, whitewares, refractories, and porcelain enamel) and advanced ceramics. Topics covered in the area of advanced ceramic include bioceramics, nanomaterials, composites, solid oxide fuel cells, mechanical properties...