SEMINAR 

Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences  

中国科学院上海硅酸盐研究所 

When Discoveries and Inventions become Innovations: Examples from Material Science  

Speaker：Prof. Dr. Ludwig J. Gauckler 

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland 

时间：3月18日（周三）上午9:30 

地点：四号楼14楼第一会议室 

联系人：江东亮院士，张景贤研究员（52412167） 

　　Different concepts illustrate how to transform discoveries into inventions and sometimes, finally  into innovations. The first example reports about processing µ-meter tiny tin oxide gas sensors synthesized and shaped via colloid chemistry technologies on silicon nitride micro-hot-plates on silicon [1].These sensor arrays are integrated in microelectronics and operate as electronic noses.  The second example reports about tailoring Janus type nano-particle surfaces in colloids leading to ceramic foams, emulsions and colloidosomes. They have a wide variety of complex microstructures that allow many new applications to be developed [2].  The third example illustrates processes for ultra-thin ceramic films and foils enabling µ-solid oxide fuel cells for battery replacements with hitherto unrivaled energy densities for portable electronics [3].  By using principles found in natural composites such as Nacre, layered polymer/ceramic hybrid composites combining high tensile strength and high ductility are possible [4]. These novel polymer-ceramic composites allow scratch resistant paints and laminates opening up markets that were new for ceramics up to now.   Finally, rapid prototyping of ceramic components from presintered blanks of 3m% Yttrium stabilized Zirconia enabled in recent years all ceramic teeth, crowns and bridges [5]. With this example, we demonstrate how the rigorous combination of well-known ceramic technologies changed practice in dental restoration.   In all these examples some criteria are essential for the successful mutation of inventions into innovations using well known colloidal principles.