October/November 2023 • Vol. 102, No. 8

feature articles

Germany: Building a climate for innovation

Germany is confronting environmental and human capital challenges as it invests in R&D to support sustainable development goals.

by Randy B. Hecht

Cover Story

Increasing demand for lead-free piezoceramic systems and textured ceramics

Health concerns and production constraints surrounding conventional piezoceramic materials are driving interest and growth in the nascent market for lead-free and textured piezoceramics.

By A. Murat Avcı, Servet Kızılırmak, and Ender Suvacı

piezoelectric compensator based on Pierre Curie’s design

C&GM

Ceramic matrix composites: Is the future here yet?

Though ceramic matrix composites have been tested, adopted, and put into commercial use in many areas, the technology is still considered to be in an early stage of development. Promising research is underway that is expected to lead to broader application in a range of industries.

by David Holthaus

C&GM

Oak Ridge National Laboratory-led program supported R&D of first widely deployed CMC product

More than a quarter-century ago, the U.S. Department of Energy began a program to support U.S. development of ceramic matrix composite materials. Dawn Levy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory provides an overview of this history.

by Dawn Levy, senior science writer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory