Ceramic Tech Chat The American Ceramic Society

Embracing spontaneity in research and networking can be the first step to a successful career. Jessica Rimsza, staff scientist at Sandia National Laboratories, discusses her work on modeling disordered and complex material systems, describes what is involved in organizing a scientific conference, and explains how joining a professional society can help young researchers define their identity as a scientist.
View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Jessica Rimsza is a staff scientist at Sandia National Laboratories. She works in the Climate Security Division at Sandia, where she models disordered and complex material systems. She is currently chair of ACerS Meetings Committee, which is responsible for planning, developing, and organizing the Society’s conferences.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Even as the tools and platforms for education have changed drastically in the past century, the need for programs to upskill employees remains as strong as ever. Carl Frahme, longtime consultant and educator in the ceramic, metals, and materials industries, shares how he first became involved as an instructor for ACerS educational courses, describes how these courses evolved over time, and explains why he finds being a science educator so fulfilling.
View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Carl Frahme is a long-time consultant and educator in the ceramic, metals, and materials industries. He offers consulting through his company, Frahme Consulting Services, and teaches many of the courses available on ACerS Online Learning Center.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

From ancient times till today, terracotta remains a steadfast option for roof tiles. David Jensen, sample coordinator and glaze production scheduler at Ludowici Roof Tile, describes the advantages of and his work on clay roof tiles, shares how he became interested in the history of Ludowici, and explains how that interest led to the discovery of a glass slide collection created by ACerS founder Edward Orton Jr.
View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
David Jensen is  sample coordinator and glaze production scheduler at Ludowici Roof Tile in New Lexington, Ohio. After joining Ludowici, Jensen became the company’s de facto historian, and his research led to a surprise discovery of more than 800 glass sides created by Edward Orton Jr. that provides a look at the ceramics industry in the early 1900s. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is digitizing these slides as part of a Columbus area history project, and people can freely view the digitized slides at this link.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

While planning for the future is important, listening to others and adapting to new opportunities can lead to the most fulfilling and fruitful careers. Rajendra Bordia, the George J. Bishop, III Chair Professor of Ceramics and Materials Engineering at Clemson University, shares his somewhat unplanned pathway from mechanical into ceramic engineering, describes his approach to mentoring students, and discusses his goals as this year’s president of The American Ceramic Society.
View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Rajendra Bordia is the George J. Bishop, III Chair Professor of Ceramics and Materials Engineering at Clemson University in South Carolina. His research focuses on how processing conditions affect the final microstructure and properties of ceramics, with a specific focus on thermal processing methods. He is currently serving as president of The American Ceramic Society for 2023–2024, a role in which he will lead the Society through the development of a new strategic plan.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

Training the next generation of ceramic engineers requires engagement on multiple fronts. Geoff Brennecka, Herman F. Coors Distinguished Professor of Ceramic Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, discusses the importance of having degree programs that focus specifically on ceramics, recalls the history and evolution of ACerS President’s Council of Student Advisors, and describes how the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation’s new Teacher Training Workshops provide K–12 teachers guidance on effective ways to teach materials science.
View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Geoff Brennecka is the Herman F. Coors Distinguished Professor of Ceramic Engineering at Colorado School of Mines, which recently launched a degree program in ceramic engineering. His group works on the fabrication, characterization, and analysis of advanced dielectrics, ferroelectrics, and piezoelectrics. He is actively involved in ACerS, helping to establish ACerS President’s Council of Student Advisors, and currently serves as chair of the Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation Board.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.

With global demand for cement and concrete continuing to rise, there is a similarly increasing focus on the industry’s carbon footprint. Shiho Kawashima, associate professor of civil engineering and engineering mechanics at Columbia University, identifies the main culprits behind high carbon emissions in the cement and concrete industry, outlines several approaches to lowering emissions, and describes the role her research plays in innovating solutions to this challenge.
View the transcript for this episode here.

About the guest
Shiho Kawashima is associate professor of civil engineering and engineering mechanics at Columbia University in New York. Her research group studies cement rheology and processing, including a recent focus on 3D concrete printing. Their work supports the development of low-carbon cements and concretes. More information on this topic can be found in the U.S. Department of Energy report Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Low-Carbon Cement.

About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.