Selected emerging opportunities for ceramics in energy, environment, and transportation

Novel ceramic materials and advanced techniques for processing them and controlling their microstructure are breaking new ground in the areas of energy, environment, and transportation. For example, terahertz (THz) properties of ceramic materials and advanced structures reveal their potential for sensing in energy and environmental applications as well as local communication networks in transportation. Emerging opportunities for the development of improved porous ceramics for engine emissions control are discussed in particular, in consideration of the key role that this technology has with respect to global environmental and transportation concerns. Moreover, it is anticipated that advanced ceramics and composites of certain classes will enable innovation in nuclear energy by providing breakthrough accident-tolerant features. In this article, we highlight these three areas of ceramics that are critical to the future and also show promise for growth.