2009 James I. Mueller Award

Dr. Curtis Johnson

General Electric Global Research Center

USA

Title: Thermal Barrier Coatings—A Step in the Quest for Ceramics in Gas Turbines

Abstract: Gas turbines are widely used for aero propulsion and industrial power generation.  The Brayton thermodynamic cycle used in gas turbines derives clear benefits from higher firing temperatures.  However, the gas temperatures are ultimately limited by the maximum temperature capability of structural materials used in the static and rotating components of the turbine hot section.  Despite this limitation, firing temperatures have increased steadily over time through a combination of complex cooling technologies, innovative metallurgy of advanced superalloys, and application of insulating ceramic coatings known as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). 

Over the past 25 years, TBCs have grown in their capability and frequency of application in gas turbines.  Through that time, the demands and expectations of TBCs have also increased to match their evolving capabilities.  The history of TBCs in aero and industrial gas turbines will be reviewed, including processing approaches and typical modes of failure. The talk will conclude with a discussion of future challenges and possible coating modifications that may define the next generation of TBCs. 

Johnson Bio

Curtis Johnson joined General Electric in 1973 at their Corporate Research and Development Center (now GE Research) where he has worked on a wide variety of challenges related to the development and application of ceramics.  After retiring in 2008, he is currently a part-time consultant with GE.

Over the last 35 years, Johnson has worked on the development, fabrication, characterization, life prediction and reliability assessment of advanced ceramics and coatings.  He helped develop processes for sintering and near-net-shape fabrication of sintered silicon carbide.  He helped advance analytical techniques for probabilistic strength and failure prediction of brittle materials. 

Johnson’s recent research interests include thermal barrier coatings and environmental barrier coatings with emphasis on fabrication-microstructure-property-performance relationships.  During his tenure at GE, he has been recognized with three GE Dushman Awards on sintered SiC, face-pumped lasers, and thermal barrier coatings.  Recently, he was awarded the Distinguished Career Award from the Hudson-Mohawk Section of TMS.  He has authored or co-authored over 25 publications and has 35 issued U.S. patents.

2009 ECD Bridge Building Award

Prof. Dongliang Jiang

Shanghai Institute of Ceramics

China

Title: Research and Development Activities in Advanced Ceramics in China - Current Status and Future Prospects

Abstract: There has been a long term and sustained effort in advanced ceramics research in China over last few decades. In this presentation, an overview of recent research and development activities in the area of advanced ceramics and CMCs will be presented. Some key results from national projects funded by Dept. of Science and Technology and National Nature Scientific Foundation will be provided. In addition, recent results of R&D activities in Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (SICCAS) especially in CMCs, transparent ceramics, bio-ceramics, nanomaterials, and mesoporous materials will be presented.

CMC development is one of the most active research areas at SICCAS. A modified CVI process, which has been defined as temperature-pulsing CVI, was successfully used to deposit SiC matrix into carbon fiber preforms. The properties of CMCs strongly depend on the processing conditions and the nano-SiC particles. Nanoparticulate phases impregnated in the fiber bundles show the reduced interaction between fibers and matrix. In the area of transparent ceramics, Al2O3, Si3N4, AlON, Nd-YAG, Ce-YAG, and La-Y2O3 systems are being studied extensively. The development of high quality transparent ceramics is mainly associated with the understanding of the fundamental principles underlying the advanced processing technologies and nanopowder synthesis and dispersion technology. An overview will be provided on the research and development efforts in biomaterials especially in hard implant materials such as teeth, knee, bone repair, and biocompatible coatings. In addition, some examples of recent development in mesoporous materials, developed for drug delivery and as catalyst carrier for emission control, will also be provided.  

Jiang Bio

Professor Dongliang Jiang is Academician, Chinese Academy of Engineering from Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Shanghai, China. He graduated from Nanjing University of Technology (formerly Nanjing Institute of Chemistry and Technology) in 1960.  He was Deputy Director of Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences during 1991-1995. He also worked as Visiting Researcher in the Dept. of Materials Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan.

He has made numerous contributions to the development of a number of advanced ceramics and composites such as translucent fine grain structure alumina, alumina based cermets, high-purity alumina cements, high strength SiC-based ceramics and composites, and SiC/Si3N4 graded and laminated composite materials. He has also developed aqueous tape casting and aqueous gel-casting based processing technologies. His current interests also include biomaterials, transparent ceramics, and nano-composites.

Professor Jiang has devoted his life in fostering cooperation among international ceramic societies and in promoting the development of ceramic science and technology. He has served and continues to serve on the International Advisory Board of many conferences and journals from all over the world. He has served as Vice president of Chinese Material Research Society for more than 8 years. He has published more than 250 papers, 3 books and holds 18 patents. He has received ten major awards and was elected as Academician of World Academy of Ceramics, Italy in 1992.

2009 Plenary Speaker

Suk Joong L. Kang

KAIST

South  Korea

Title: Microstructural Evolution in Ceramics by Structural Transition at Interfaces

Abstract: Recent investigations on microstructural evolution in ceramics show that there exists a close correlation between the evolution of microstructure and the structure of interfaces. When an interface is faceted (atomically ordered), suppressed (stagnant) or abnormal grain growth (SGG or AGG) occurs. For non-faceted (atomically disordered) interfaces, normal grain growth (NGG) occurs. The difference in microstructural evolution for faceted or non-faceted systems is attributed to differences in the dependency of interface mobility with driving force: that is, variable for faceted systems and invariable for non-faceted systems.

This presentation provides our recent theoretical as well as experimental perspectives of microstructure evolution and control in polycrystalline ceramics, in particular perovskites. Nonlinear mobility of a faceted interface is first demonstrated in a model experiment using single crystal-polycrystal bilayer samples where the driving force for crystal growth has been kept constant during the crystal growth. It has been possible to change the interface structure and related step free energy of perovskites (BaTiO3, SrTiO3, Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 and PMN-PT) and some carbides (TiC-WC-Co and NbC-Co) by changing oxygen partial pressure, adding dopants and changing temperature. For a given average size of particles, very different types of growth behavior have been exhibited, including stagnant, incubated abnormal, abnormal, pseudo-normal and normal, with a change in step free energy. For a non-zero step free energy, a similar variation of non-stationary growth behavior has been observed with particle size change. These experimental observations are in good agreement with the predictions made by a calculation based on the crystal growth theories. The experimental and theoretical results thus demonstrate that proper control of interface structure (step free energy) in conjunction with the driving force can result in the development of various types of microstructures, ranging from ultra fine and moderately sized to duplex in single-phase as well as two-phase systems. The guidelines for microstructure control are suggested.

Kang Bio

Suk-Joong L. Kang is a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the director of the Center for NanoInterface Technology at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). He is the recipient of several awards, including an academic award from the Korean Institute of Metals and Materials and the Inchon Prize from the Inchon Memorial Foundation.

Prof. Kang’s current research interest focuses on sintering and related phenomena, including grain growth and interface migration, in perovskites (BaTiO3, SrTiO3, NBT-BT, KNN) and Cemented Carbides. Microstructural evolution by structural transition and defect formation at interfaces is of particular interest to Prof. Kang.

He has published more than 200 papers and seven books (with six editorships). He also holds 12 patents. Prof. Kang is currently a fellow of The American Ceramic Society, and a member of the World Academy of Ceramics, the Korean Academy of Science and Technology and the National Academy of Engineering in Korea.

2009 Plenary Speaker

Dr. Andreas Schoenecker

IKTS Fraunhofer

Germany

Title: Piezoelectric Composite Materials and Structures

Abstract: The development of piezoelectric composites involves the integration of piezoceramics and further dissimilar components performing separate functions into one device, either as a bulk composite material or as an integrated circuit, as for example micro electromechanical system (MEMS), micro acoustical system  or micro optical system. In this type of approach, the individual material properties are well defined. The challenge lies in the appropriate component processing and in the maintaining these properties during packaging into an individual unit. Tailored design and packaging are seen as key factors for progress in custom applications.

During the last decade we developed and evaluated different green forming processes, like spinning, molding, tape casting and screen printing, to obtain piezoceramic fibers, micro molded parts, films and sheets for smart composites. Epoxy, Silicon, ceramics, and Aluminium were considered as host materials.

According to our results, improved functionality of composites is feasible, covering  sensing, actuation, energy harvesting, health monitoring and shape control allowing for applications such as micro integrated valves, drives, voltage converter, piezoelectric, pyroelectric sensors and ultrasound transducers. Another field of application concerns active structures in space, automotive or machine building industry. Progress was achieved by combining flexible board and piezo technology which opens up a new class of reliable ready to use actuator and sensor modules. Load carrying structures with embedded actuators, sensors and electronics, which are usually pre-integrated in modules, offer the opportunity for noise reduction, vibration and shape control and health monitoring.

The presentation summarizes the correlations between advanced piezoceramic technologies and the development of smart devices, microsystems and structures. The focus will be given to the integration in silicon wafer, ceramic multilayer, polymer and metal matrix architectures. Finally, forward-looking applications are highlighted.

Schoenecker Bio

 
Dr. Andreas J. Schönecker is working with the Fraunhofer Institute of Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) Dresden, Germany, which is a research and development organization specializing in engineering and functional ceramics and their application in customized systems. 

Dr. Schönecker studied Physics at the Technical University of Dresden, Germany, and received his Ph.D. in Solid State Physics from here in 1976. In 1975 he joined the Institute of Solid State Physics and Materials Science Dresden, working as senior researcher in electronic materials and ceramics. With Fraunhofer IKTS since its inspection (1990), Dr. Schönecker heads the development of smart materials and systems for the client companies that contract the Organization’s service.

Dr. Schönecker is the author or co-author of about 85 technical papers and filed 65 patents. Currently he is also member of the advisory board of Smart Material Corp., Florida.