Sets forth new advances and new applications resulting from bioceramics and porous ceramics research

This issue of the Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings is one of nine issues that has been published based on content presented in January 2012, during the 36th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC) in Daytona Beach, Florida. It features papers from two popular symposia held during the ICACC meeting:

• Next-Generation Bioceramics explores new research into ceramic materials designed to support and enhance the treatment of dental and medical disorders. Presentations from researchers in academia, government, and industry address the processing, characterization, modeling, and use of bioceramic materials for dental and medical applications. Specific topics covered at the symposium include bioinspired and biomimetic ceramic materials; nanoscale bioceramic materials; in vitro and in vivo evaluation of bioceramic materials; and bioceramic materials for drug delivery.
• Porous Ceramics: Novel Developments and Applications examines some of the latest advances and innovations in processing methods and synthesis, structure and properties, modeling and novel characterization tools, mechanical behavior, micro- and mesoporous ceramics, and ceramic membranes. Moreover, participants discuss new and emerging applications of porous ceramics in environmental sciences, energy, defense, biomedicine, and aeronautics.

Charts, tables, and illustrations throughout this issue help readers better understand the latest advances in bioceramics and porous ceramics research and the many applications of this research.

This issue represents one of nine CESP issues published from the 36th ICACC meeting. ICACC is the world's most prominent international meeting dedicated to advanced structural, functional, and nanoscopic ceramics, composites, and other emerging ceramic materials and technologies. ICACC has been organized each year by The American Ceramic Society and The American Ceramic Society's Engineering Ceramics Division since 1977.