About this Research Topic
Glass-ceramics consist of at least one glassy phase with at least one embedded crystalline phase. These materials are built from base glasses via controlled nucleation and crystal growth. Therefore, selection of the chemical composition of the base glasses in combination with the mechanisms of controlled nucleation and crystallization are the driving forces for the design of microstructures of glass-ceramics with special properties not exhibited by glasses or sintered ceramics.
In accordance with the philosophy of the journal “Frontiers in Materials”, this research topic “Nucleation and Crystallization of Glasses and Glass-ceramics” is focused on the development of products with special properties: for example, high strength, high toughness, good machinability or moldability, or unique electrical/electronic or magnetic properties, exceptional optical or unusual thermal or chemical properties and with the possibility of combining these characteristics. Therefore, glass-ceramics allow the combination of properties which are derived from glasses or sintered oxides. The most important properties of glass-ceramics are those which are not attainable by either glasses or ceramics. Based on these principles and controlled mechanisms, glass-ceramics are the preferred choice of materials in many technical, consumer, optical, medical/dental, electrical/electronic and architectural fields. Additional uses include special materials for coatings and energy applications.
The aim of this research topic is to allow young scientist to publish their results on mechanisms of nucleation and crystallization. It is required, however, to show the results of the driving mechanisms in a clear and very understandable scientific manner. The studies on these mechanisms must take into account the basis of thermodynamics and kinetic principles. Furthermore, it is important to examine the relationship between these mechanisms and the ability to control the microstructure of the final glass-ceramics.
In order to demonstrate a great variety of chemical glass-ceramic systems, their properties and preferred application, it is necessary to report on wide range of glass-ceramics: for example, silicate, silicophosphate, aluminosilicate, iron silicate, phosphate, borate as well as other types of glass-ceramics.
On the basis of these clearly written manuscripts containing the latest news of inventions, the reader should understand how to control the inorganic chemistry of the glass-ceramics to develop a special microstructure that will be responsible for imparting the desired new properties.
In parallel to all these fundamentals, the aspects of processing glass-ceramics, such as casting or molding the base glass, machining or molding the final glass-ceramics, or the application of new innovative technologies, should also be considered.
In accordance with the philosophy of the journal “Frontiers in Materials”, this research topic “Nucleation and Crystallization of Glasses and Glass-ceramics” is focused on the development of products with special properties: for example, high strength, high toughness, good machinability or moldability, or unique electrical/electronic or magnetic properties, exceptional optical or unusual thermal or chemical properties and with the possibility of combining these characteristics. Therefore, glass-ceramics allow the combination of properties which are derived from glasses or sintered oxides. The most important properties of glass-ceramics are those which are not attainable by either glasses or ceramics. Based on these principles and controlled mechanisms, glass-ceramics are the preferred choice of materials in many technical, consumer, optical, medical/dental, electrical/electronic and architectural fields. Additional uses include special materials for coatings and energy applications.
The aim of this research topic is to allow young scientist to publish their results on mechanisms of nucleation and crystallization. It is required, however, to show the results of the driving mechanisms in a clear and very understandable scientific manner. The studies on these mechanisms must take into account the basis of thermodynamics and kinetic principles. Furthermore, it is important to examine the relationship between these mechanisms and the ability to control the microstructure of the final glass-ceramics.
In order to demonstrate a great variety of chemical glass-ceramic systems, their properties and preferred application, it is necessary to report on wide range of glass-ceramics: for example, silicate, silicophosphate, aluminosilicate, iron silicate, phosphate, borate as well as other types of glass-ceramics.
On the basis of these clearly written manuscripts containing the latest news of inventions, the reader should understand how to control the inorganic chemistry of the glass-ceramics to develop a special microstructure that will be responsible for imparting the desired new properties.
In parallel to all these fundamentals, the aspects of processing glass-ceramics, such as casting or molding the base glass, machining or molding the final glass-ceramics, or the application of new innovative technologies, should also be considered.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
