Information on Loughborough
News Index
2010
Mar 2010Feb 2010
Jan 2010
2009
Dec 2009Nov 2009
Oct 2009
Sep 2009
Aug 2009
Jul 2009
Jun 2009
May 2009
Apr 2009
Mar 2009
Feb 2009
Jan 2009
2008
Dec 2008Nov 2008
Oct 2008
Sep 2008
Aug 2008
Jul 2008
Jun 2008
May 2008
Apr 2008
Mar 2008
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
2007
Dec 2007Nov 2007
Oct 2007
Sep 2007
Aug 2007
Jul 2007
Jun 2007
May 2007
Engineers crack ceramics production obstacle
Posted on 13/03/09
University of Leicester
Illustrations available: email pressoffice@le.ac.uk
Engineers at the University of Leicester have invented a new technique in the manufacture of ceramics that has the potential to save the industry time and costs while reducing wastage.
The novel method takes away the traditional trial and error approach to manufacture of ceramics and instead applied new computer modelling techniques to the manufacturing process.
Researchers at the University of Leicester, led by Professor Jingzhe Pan of the Department of Engineering, focused on a critical step in the manufacture of ceramics known as sintering.
Professor Pan explained: Ceramics constitute vital domestic, industrial and building products, and are perhaps indispensable in our modern society. However, manufacturing advanced ceramics even in this era of precision techniques is still very much a trial and error process.
Ceramics are produced from firstly compacting powders into a solid, and then firing the powder compacts in a process called sintering. During this, powders are heated to a temperature where they adhere to each other. At this stage, materials are essentially re-packed more closely, such that overall volume decreases (shrinks), whilst the density increases. Ceramics are intrinsically brittle making post-production alterations in dimensions very difficult. Failure to accurately estimate the final dimensions of ceramic parts, therefore lead to a waste of materials, time and money.
Professor Pans technique helps to minimise errors during the sintering process. He said: Predicting change in dimension during sintering is challenging, requiring extensive data on the material in question. Obtaining the required physical data has been difficult and expensive.
Our method simply uses density measurements of different ceramics during sintering in our computer software that can predict changes in dimensions, even before production begins.
This method does not depend on the physical properties of any one ceramic material - it simply uses densification data from a small sample of the material and extrapolates the data, such that it can be applied to larger quantities used in manufacturing. It can thus, be applied to a wide range of ceramics.
Professor Pan, who has been investigating this process for the last 10 years, added that the ceramic industry is aware of the enormous potential of computer and mathematical modelling, and of the benefits of shifting emphasis from historical data to a more predictive approach. However, several challenges need to be overcome before this method reaches daily application in industry.
For example, the system will need to be converted into a more user-friendly format for industrial use. Further, the technique will have to be demonstrated in a range of industrial products.
Since inventing this technique, which for the first time, shows real potential of revolutionising the ceramic industry, Professor Pan and his group have continued to explore various properties of ceramic materials. They are currently investigating properties of multi-layered ceramics (commonly used in fuel cells) and industrial (ceramic) coating.
Latest Loughborough News
Libraries become more dyslexia-friendly |
|---|
Created: Friday 19th of March 2010 05:30:01 PM  Community Services19 March 2010Libraries become more dyslexia-friendlyLibraries across Leicestershire have signed up to a new set of guidelines designed to make them more dyslexia-friendly. Over the next few months, staff are being trained to ensure they understand the basic issues facing people with dyslexia.... Read More: Libraries become more dyslexia-friendly |
Serving police officer dies following a collision in Leicestershire |
Created: Friday 19th of March 2010 04:20:02 PM  Serving police officer dies following a collision in LeicestershirePC Phil TomaszewskiA serving police officer has died following a collision in the parish of Eaton, near Ab Kettleby, Leicestershire. The collision occurred at about 1.... Read More: Serving police officer dies following a collision in Leicestershire |
Celebrated poet and writer visits the University of Leicester |
Created: Friday 19th of March 2010 03:03:35 PM  Bernardine Evaristo, acclaimed author of Blonde Roots and The Emperor s Babe, to speak at a free public event on Friday 26 March.... Read More: Celebrated poet and writer visits the University of Leicester |
Donated furniture boosts good causes |
Created: Friday 19th of March 2010 03:03:34 PM Good causes have received a boost thanks to donations of office furniture from Charnwood Borough Council. Items such as desks, filing cabinets and chairs are being distributed to good causes through Giving World Online, a scheme run by Leicester based charity Konnect9. ... Read More: Donated furniture boosts good causes |
Action packed week boosts community |
Created: Friday 19th of March 2010 03:03:33 PM Around 10 tonnes of rubbish were collected, a buggy fit walk was held and health checks took place as part of a community action week in Mountsorrel. Organisations including Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire Police and Voluntary Action Charnwood worked with local residents to organise the busy week which aimed to improve the environment and boost residents fitness and wellbeing. ... Read More: Action packed week boosts community |
Related Loughborough News
ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution |
|---|
Created: Thursday 15th of January 2009 12:16:50 PM  ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution A Loughborough University led project is set to revolutionise the way components for the aeronautical and automotive sectors are made, leading to a significant reduction in weight, wastage and CO2 emissions both at the manufacturing stage and during use. The University s Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering will apply state-of-the-art Rapid Manufacturing (RM) techniques also known as Additive Manufacturing to make parts for aircraft and motor vehicles.... Read More: ATKINS Project: a low-carbon manufacturing solution |
Website for Leicestershire Artists |
Created: Thursday 31st of January 2008 10:16:01 AM  Made in Leicestershire is a new free web directory run by Creative Leicestershire to showcase quality visual art and craft made in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. ... Read More: Website for Leicestershire Artists |
'Forty' - artist and designer's celebration at the RACentre |
Created: Tuesday 22nd of December 2009 08:12:15 AM  Exhibition by Leicester-born artist and furniture craftsman takes place from 5 January to 14th March... Read More: 'Forty' - artist and designer's celebration at the RACentre |
Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges |
Created: Friday 14th of March 2008 06:45:00 PM  Loughborough has joined forces with the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield to launch a Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA) - a leading centre dedicated to improving complex assembly processes for manufacturers.... Read More: Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges |
Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges |
Created: Friday 26th of December 2008 08:38:04 PM Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges Loughborough has joined forces with the universities of Nottingham and Sheffield to launch a Centre of Excellence in Customised Assembly (CECA) - a leading centre dedicated to improving complex assembly processes for manufacturers. CECA has been established to provide cost-effective assembly solutions for aerospace, defence, pharmaceutical/medical, device and niche automotive supply chains.... Read More: Universities join forces to tackle UK manufacturing challenges |
Most Read Loughborough News (today)
Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood |
|---|
Created: Friday 18th of July 2008 11:00:00 AM  A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough.... |
Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire |
Created: Tuesday 22nd of July 2008 04:45:00 PM  Radical changes to social care in Leicestershire will be outlined at a meeting next week. The County Council wants to personalise its social care and will update the Cabinet on the plans next Tuesday (29th July).... Read More: Radical plans to personalise social care in Leicestershire |
Boost for domestic violence work in Charnwood and North West |
Created: Monday 8th of September 2008 11:14:00 AM  A new role has been created in Charnwood and North West Leicestershire to ensure that victims of domestic violence are safe and receiving support. ... Read More: Boost for domestic violence work in Charnwood and North West |
DONT LET COLD CALLERS LEAVE YOU HOT UNDER THE COLLAR |
Created: Wednesday 16th of April 2008 12:07:43 PM  The tactics used by some telephone cold callers can sometimes leave you bewildered or pressured into buying things you neither want or need, but there are ways to get the upper hand, advises Consumer Direct East Midlands.... Read More: DONT LET COLD CALLERS LEAVE YOU HOT UNDER THE COLLAR |
Double win for Loughborough |
Created: Thursday 1st of May 2008 01:13:00 PM  Loughborough University did the double over sporting rivals Bath as the mens and womens rugby teams both claimed victory at the annual Real Varsity clash (Wednesday 30 April).... Read More: Double win for Loughborough |
Most Read Loughborough News (this month)
Loughborough Astra Zeneca Closure |
|---|
Created: Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 04:03:15 PM  Charnwood Borough Council has today learned that the Astra Zeneca has decided to close its facility in Loughborough by the end of 2011. The announcement is a huge blow and a major loss of employment in the Borough and in Loughborough in particular. ... Read More: Loughborough Astra Zeneca Closure |
Action group to meet regarding Astra Zeneca announcement |
Created: Wednesday 3rd of March 2010 11:03:57 AM An action group consisting of local organisations is to meet on Friday to discuss yesterday s (Tue) announcement by Astra Zeneca. Charnwood Borough Council has organised the urgent meeting after the pharmaceutical firm announced it will close its operation in the town by the end of next year. This will mean a loss of nearly 1,200 jobs. ... Read More: Action group to meet regarding Astra Zeneca announcement |
Appeal following incident at Loughborough University |
Created: Friday 26th of February 2010 08:10:01 PM  Appeal following incident at Loughborough UniversityPolice are appealing for witnesses following the report of a serious sexual assault in Loughborough. The incident is alleged to have happened sometime between 1.... Read More: Appeal following incident at Loughborough University |
Thirteen people arrested in 'Bling' crackdown |
Created: Wednesday 24th of February 2010 10:20:01 PM  Thirteen people arrested in 'Bling' crackdownThirteen people have been arrested in the first phase of a Force-wide operation to crackdown on criminals living lavish lifestyles from the proceeds of crime. The ‘Too Much Bling? Give us a Ring’ campaign was launched on February 10, 2010, encouraging members of the public to call Crimestoppers anonymously to let police know of any people who may be living beyond their means from drug money or ill gotten gains.... |
EASTER ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES |
Created: Wednesday 24th of February 2010 04:02:23 PM Charnwood Borough Council s Easter Activity Programme for 0 16 year olds kicks into action on Monday 29th March until 5th April. ... Read More: EASTER ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES |