The Center for Advanced Ceramic Technology (CACT) at Alfred University and the New York State College of Ceramics specializes in applied and technical research to solve real-world problems and provide scalable solutions in the fields of technical ceramics and glass. CACT connects industry to Alfred’s Center for High Temperature Characterization (CHTC), Ceramic Research, Education and Technology Enterprise (CREATE) Center, and the new Center for Glass Innovation (CGI). As the only institution in the country offering a glass science PhD program and one of only two institutions dedicated to ceramic engineering, CACT links firms into a unique skill set to solve challenges addressing a wide range of technical and research areas. Capabilities include: Materials: bio-ceramics; carbon-based composites; electronic ceramics; glass; metal-ceramic composites; optical materials; polymers and preceramic polymers; structural ceramics; ultra-high temperature ceramics and materials for hypersonic applications; whitewares; fuel cell materials; and energy storage materials. Modeling capabilities with respect to microstructure; atomistic structure of glass/ceramics; defect behavior; transport behavior; multiscale modeling; and multi-physics modeling. High temperature processing up to 2200°C, processing of ceramic powders; engineered nanoparticles; specialty glass processing; nanoscale fabrication; thin/thick film coatings; tape casting; hot/cold isostatic pressing; specialized sintering capabilities; sol-gel processing (glasses, powders, films); and traditional ceramic processing. Additive manufacturing of ceramics utilizing powder-bed and photolithography-based techniques. Properties/characterization expertise with respect to electrical properties; structural analysis; mechanical behavior and fracture; optical properties; biocompatibility; surface behavior and catalysis; thermal properties; and spectroscopy. Recent investments (2020-21) including Focused Ion-Beam (FIB) microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and high-temperature Raman spectroscopy.
