ISAC-4 proceedings will be published in early summer.

The 4th International Symposium on Advanced Ceramics -Advanced Engineering Ceramics and Composites- (ISAC-4) organized by the JSPS 124th Committee on Advanced Ceramics will be held in conjunction with the Symposium 14, "Advanced Engineering Ceramics and Composites" in the 3rd International Congress on Ceramics (ICC3) and the 4th International Symposium on the Science of Engineering Ceramics (organized by CerSJ Engineering Ceramics Division) held in November 14-18, 2010 at Osaka International Convention Center (Grand Cube Osaka), Japan.

_ Scope of the Symposium

The cutting edge of engineering ceramic research is evolving rapidly, leading into new fields far beyond the conventional image of ceramics. Careful tailoring of micro- and nano-structures, in particular, is yielding superior mechanical and chemical properties, such as high hardness, high strength, good heat/corrosion resistance and good tribological properties, which are not seen in typical metals and polymers. Engineering ceramics and composites are thus expected to find uses as key components in a variety of industrial applications, from engines and generators with high fuel efficiency to devices and systems to maintain clean environments. Long-term durability and structural reliability are, however, critical issues for the secure and safe usage of these materials and components.

Our cornerstone symposium will focus on the mechanical behavior and structural design of advanced monolithic and composite ceramics. Engineers and scientists are persevering in their efforts to understand the relationship between mechanical performance and material micro- and nano-structures for the purpose of establishing the reliability and durability of these materials, and this symposium is perfectly suited for this dialog.

_ Main Topics

• Mechanical properties of ceramics, composites and porous materials
• Processing - microstructure - mechanical properties relations
• Fiber, matrices, and interfaces
• Tribological behaviors
• Heat and corrosion resistances
• Ultra high temperature ceramics and ternary compounds
• Thermal and environmental barrier coatings
• Coatings to resist wear, erosion and tribological loadings
• Joining and machining of ceramics and composites
• Functionally graded materials and systems
• Mechanics and characterization techniques
• Design, reliability, and life prediction methodologies
• NDE of ceramic components
• Reliability of small scale systems