Transduction refers to the conversion of energy from one form to another. In terms of piezoelectric transducers, it means the conversion of electrical to mechanical energy and/or vice-versa. This is made possible by the inclusion of active piezoceramic components in the transducer, and can take place in a variety of mediums (e.g., air, liquid, etc.) using a variety of transducer designs.

In a recent survey, the UK’s National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) asked its clients and stakeholders whether they or their employees were concerned about the risk that nanomaterials may pose to their workforce. Almost a quarter of responders to the question replied that they were.

Zirconia is a versatile material with interesting physical and chemical properties. When stabilized with yttria, it is useful across a range of industries, especially for physically demanding structural ceramic applications that require high strength and wear, as well as fracture resistance.

Ceramics Expo 2017 drew thousands of attendees from over 1,600 companies and 33 different countries to the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio, on April 25-27. The third annual event provided attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest trends and technologies in the ceramic industry while reconnecting with old friends and building new business relationships.

Someone asked me the other day if I’m computer savvy. I paused and eventually replied, “Well, kind of.” To be honest, it all depends on who’s asking. From my daughter’s perspective, I’m a hopeless dolt when it comes to most electronics. She’s pretty much convinced that, if left to my own devices (no pun intended), I’d flounder and eventually give up, preferring to live like a hermit, in the dark, with no phone or TV (or Snapchat, heaven forbid).

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) have made detailed 3-D images of a commercially available computer chip. This reportedly marks the first time a non-destructive method has visualized—clearly, without distortions or deformations—the paths of a chip’s internal wiring (just 45 nm wide) and its 34-nm-high transistors.

This weekly roundup highlights the ceramic, glass, refractories, brick and related news stories that garnered the most attention during the previous week.

This weekly roundup highlights the ceramic, glass, refractories, brick and related news stories that garnered the most attention during the previous week.

We’ve all heard the old adage that “the customer is king.” To a certain extent, I subscribe to that concept. We certainly need to make sure that we’re meeting our customers’ needs and keeping them happy.