CERAMICS

Faculty: Mullins, Cornilsen (CH)

Ceramics play an important role in technological advances, including new catalysts and adsorbents, electronic materials, ceramic and metal matrix composites, and biomedical engineering materials. The synthesis and processing of the materials required for these applications has become an important area of research for chemical engineers. Research at Michigan Tech has focused on the synthesis of new ceramics and glasses via many methods, including sol-gel processing, high-temperature synthesis, hydrothermal synthesis, and other techniques. Investigators in the Department of Chemical Engineering collaborate with colleagues in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, as well as in the Institute of Materials Processing, an on-campus research center. Current topics of interest include synthesis of new catalyst materials for pollution abatement, solid ionic conductors, complex structural composites, and porous ceramic membranes for chemical processing. Application of vibrational spectroscopic techniques, including infrared and Raman spectroscopy to new ceramic materials is a strength of the research conducted at Michigan Tech.

Selected Equipment

• Cahn microbalance
• Bruker IFS66 with photoacoustic spectroscopy attachment for solids
• Instruments SA Raman spectrometer
• Controlled atmosphere glove box
• Presses, sieves, grinding equipment