Advanced Ceramics Report - Issue 6, 2010

A monthly news alert containing international coverage of technical developments and commercial applications of advanced ceramics, including materials performance and characteristics, processing and equipment, research initiatives, market and industry news, standards, events and publications.

Also, every issue includes the latest patents and key events for the coming year for the industry. All items have full contact details, so that you can establish direct contact with the researchers, manufacturers, users, suppliers, event organisers and governmental organisations, via email, fax or phone.

ELECTRONICS

- Silicone dioxide/silicone nitride electrets 20 µm in size fabricated for microelectromechanical systems
- Carbide-derived carbon film microsupercapacitors developed
- Tungsten carbide barrier film for advanced memory devices
- Extraction method could improve efficiency of light-emitting diodes
- Blue-violet laser diodes launched for Blu-ray players

SUPERCONDUCTORS

- Bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide cable sets world record for current intensity

FUEL CELLS

- Planar sodium-beta batteries could be cheaper and more reliable
- Silicon-based electrode enhances performance of lithium-ion battery
- More efficient electrolyte made from scandia-doped zirconia

PROCESSING

- Longer lasting diamond grinding disks launched
- Silicone nitride probe improves resolution of atomic force microscopes

BIOMEDICAL

- Carbon nanotube-filled glass fibres could be used as neural bundles
- Oxidized zirconium knee replacement wins US approval

COMPANY NEWS

- Corning’s sales up 57%
- Ceradyne’s sales up $10 million
- TenCate’s revenues down €2 million