Abstract
I take over as the editor of Advances in Applied Ceramics at an exciting time for research into ceramics. This research is being driven by the need for new materials for structural, functional, biomedical and energy applications, and is accompanied by significant advances in synthesis and processing. This is well illustrated by nanoceramics, where there have been considerable advances in recent years in the synthesis of nanopowders and the application of new processing techniques, such as spark plasma sintering (rapid sintering), which are enabling the processing of truly nanostructured materials. The availability of these materials is also allowing fundamental research into size effects in bulk structural and functional ceramics. Completely new composite materials are being developed as a consequence of advances in the synthesis of carbon nanotubes and graphene. Rapid sintering techniques are also opening the possibility of making completely new materials, such as non-equilibrium ceramic composites. These composites will provide materials with a completely new window of thermomechanical properties.
The coverage of Advances in Applied Ceramics is broad, reflecting all aspects of applied ceramics research. However, the journal will focus on expanding coverage in key areas of ceramics from 2012, including; spark plasma sintering, ferroelectrics, thermoelectrics, carbon nanotube and graphene composites, biomedical and dental, sensors, transparent, nanostructured, ultra high temperature, and novel cement materials. The first issue of my editorship focuses on functional ceramics with publication of a special issue dedicated to energy conversion systems, including photocatalytic, electrochemical, photoelectrochemical and nuclear systems. The issue is guest edited by Professor Janusz Nowotny, Centre for Materials Research in Energy Conversion, University of New South Wales, Australia and Dr Sebastian Fiechter, Institute for Solar Fuels, Helmholtz Centre Berlin, Germany.
To capture rapid developments in important fields the journal will also encourage focused short reviews in emerging fields in structural, functional and biomaterials. Original and innovative research in any field of ceramics will always be welcome. The journal will maintain its ability to rapidly publish timely research.
The editorial board will be reviewed throughout 2012 with appointments made to support key subject areas and ensure international representation. I would like to welcome those board members who are joining the journal in 2012; Professor Eduardo Saiz, Imperial College London, UK, Professor Do Kyung Kim, KAIST, Korea and Professor Xiang Ming Chen, Zhejiang University, China and thank existing board members for their continued support.
Finally, I would like to thank Professor Edirisinghe as the previous editor for all of his efforts to establish Advances in Applied Ceramics as an international ceramics journal. He has left some big shoes to fill.