Ceramic Tech Chat
Members of The American Ceramic Society talk about their personal, professional, and scientific discoveries in the fields of engineered ceramic and glass materials. Find out what excites these leaders about working with this unique subset of materials.
Episodes
52 episodes since 2020
Glass recycling challenges and solutions: Collin Wilkinson
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 mo...
August 21, 2024
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Episode 51
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27:17
STEM outreach in rural communities: Katrina Donovan
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...
July 17, 2024
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Episode 50
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29:13
Advancing microscopy with machine learning: Sergei Kalinin
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 de...
June 19, 2024
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Episode 49
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29:51
Networking as an emerging professional: Alessandro De Zanet
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 invo...
May 15, 2024
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Episode 48
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26:28
Modeling materials and meetings engagement: Jessica Rimsza
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 wh...
April 17, 2024
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Episode 47
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29:40
Lifelong learning in the changing education system: Carl Frahme
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 material...
March 20, 2024
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Episode 46
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26:59
Clay roof tiles inspire past and present passion: David Jensen
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 ...
February 21, 2024
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Episode 45
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27:50
Focusing on the fundamentals: Rajendra Bordia
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 Enginee...
January 16, 2024
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Episode 44
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29:03
Fostering pathways for ceramic engineers: Geoff Brennecka
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 pro...
December 20, 2023
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Episode 43
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27:54
Innovative solutions for low-carbon cement: Shiho Kawashima
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,...
November 15, 2023
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Episode 42
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29:57
Designing capacitors of the future: Yoshiki Iwazaki
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 c...
October 18, 2023
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Episode 41
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13:36
Pathways to excellence through research and writing: John Mauro
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...
September 20, 2023
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Episode 40
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29:52
Innovation in materials supply: Michael Silver
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, ...
August 16, 2023
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Episode 39
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27:31
Specialty glasses for healthcare and more: Steven Jung
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, discu...
July 19, 2023
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Episode 38
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27:04
New technologies for nuclear energy: Rita Baranwal
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, ...
June 21, 2023
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Episode 37
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29:46
Manufacturing innovation at US national labs: Chris Heckle
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...
May 17, 2023
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Episode 36
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22:01
Space, the new frontier for business: Jonathan Volk
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 com...
April 19, 2023
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Episode 35
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22:51
The everlasting relevance of brick: John Sanders
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 becam...
February 15, 2023
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Episode 34
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24:15
Actions for a sustainable future: Jürgen Rödel
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 adv...
January 18, 2023
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Episode 33
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25:03
Big picture, small scale—connecting materials and communities: Sanjay Mathur
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 experienc...
December 14, 2022
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Episode 32
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25:52
Deformable ceramics and next-gen functionalities: Xufei Fang
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 t...
November 09, 2022
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Episode 31
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27:11
Exploring space and the future of travel: Valerie Wiesner
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 ho...
October 12, 2022
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Episode 30
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29:31
Discovering the magic in ceramic science and art: Ryan Coppage
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 in...
September 14, 2022
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Episode 29
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29:43
Materials research for space and in space: Rick Weber
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 h...
August 10, 2022
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Episode 28
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28:52
Modern techniques reveal historic secrets: Katherine Faber
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 rese...
July 13, 2022
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Episode 27
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29:24