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Traditional ceramics account for over 80% of the overall turnover of the ceramic industry on a global basis. Future expansion is also predicted on increasing demand from building, construction and domestic uses, driven by improved life standards and demographic growth. Innovation in technology during the last decades has been a formidable key for growth. Manufacturing cycles underwent drastic changes with progressive quality optimization and development of brand new products and novel processes. Along with a harsh international competition, the ceramic industry has now to face further challenges coming from increasing energy cost, demand for high performance multifunctional products and contest with innovative composite systems in the building sector. Purpose of this symposium is to focus interest on ongoing R&D activities aimed at promoting technical progress in the following sectors: wall and floor tiles, sanitaryware and tableware, bricks and roof tiles, ceramic technology and machinery, glazes and pigments, and raw materials. Matter will cover research work directed to improve our knowledge on the properties and behaviour of materials, ensuring quality, developing new products and implementing new technologies in ceramics manufacturing. Session Topics CJ-1 Science of Silicate Ceramics
Research related to fundamental properties and process science of materials involved in the manufacture of silicate ceramics: physical and chemical properties of silicate systems; surface and colloidal properties; rheology of clay-water and multicomponent systems; compaction mechanisms; high temperature reactions, vitrification, sintering; computational modeling and simulation of materials behaviour.
CJ-2 Innovation in the Silicate Ceramics Industry
Research achievements in processing-related aspects directed to improve quality of products and processes control and efficiency: characterization and qualification of raw materials, wastes and by-products; mineralurgical treatments; new bodies and additives; improving bulk and surface properties of finished and semi-finished products; microstructure-property-performance relationships; production defects detection, quality control, reliability, durability on service; certification, new testing methods.
CJ-3 Nanotechnologies and Advanced Solutions in Silicate Ceramics
Research focused on advanced technologies and innovative processes, like those involving nanomaterials, to get ceramic products with improved performances: functionalized surfaces (e.g. self-cleaning, antibacterial, etc.); energy harvesting (e.g. photovoltaic tiles, piezoelectric devices, etc.); surface and bulk mechanical and tribological properties; thermal and acoustic insulation; thermo-hygrometric comfort; sensors and electromagnetic barriers; composite and hybrid systems for innovative building components.
CJ-4 Decoration, Colour and Design of Silicate Ceramics
Research aimed at characterization and development of new products and new processes in the field of colour, decoration and aesthetic design of silicate ceramics: advances and reliability of digital technologies (e.g. ink-jet printing, colour matching, etc.); new ceramic pigments and colorants; understanding colouring mechanisms and behaviour of inks and pigments in the ceramic process; green chemistry in colorant manufacturing.
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