Environment-Conscious Ceramics (Ecoceramics)

Abstract

Since the dawn of human civilization, there has always been a delicate balance between expanding human frontiers and coexisting with the ecosystem. In the new millennium, it will be extremely important to develop various materials, products, and processes to sustain a healthy life in harmony with nature that allow us to minimize any harmful effects. Environment-conscious ceramics (ecoceramics) are a new class of materials that can be produced with renewable resources (wood) and wood wastes (wood sawdust). Wood is one of the best and most intricate engineering materials created by nature. Natural woods of various types are available throughout the world. In addition, wood sawdusts are generated in abundant quantities by sawmills. Environment-conscious ceramic materials, fabricated via the pyrolysis and infiltration of natural wood-derived preforms with silicon have tailorable properties with numerous potential applications.