Heating Materials with Photons: Glass, Glass-ceramics and Ceramics Science and Technology

Photons (ranging from UV to microwaves) are already a well-known tool for materials processing. These heat sources can provide steep thermal gradients, localized heat treatments, fast heating rates, among other features that conventional heat ovens hardly can reproduce. Moreover, lasers and microwaves techniques can provide new tools for new devices development (and miniaturization). Applied to glass and ceramic materials, many new technologies are arising ranging from microlenses production to additive manufacturing. However, there are still many open issues regarding the technology and thermodynamics of the light-matter interaction and how it affects the properties and microstructure of the glass, glass-ceramics and ceramic compounds. It is therefore primordial to study and understand the light-matter scientific basis to provide new laser and microwave instrumentation technologies applied to the production of glass and ceramics compounds.



In this Research Topic, we intend to provide the opportunity for authors to discuss the light-matter scientific basis and state-of-the-art of electromagnetic wave (ranging from UV lasers to microwave) applied to glass, glass-ceramics and ceramics materials processing. It is also intended to collect information on the possible innovative devices and new instrumentation that can emerge from this technology. We call papers focusing on theoretical and experimental studies regarding light-matter interaction for heat generation, synthesis, drying, crystallization process and characterization of ceramic materials, ceramic composites, glass and glass ceramics. Studies on the relationship between microstructure and properties are encouraged.



We welcome researchers to contribute Original Research, Brief Research Reports and Review papers for this Research Topic. Potential topics using electromagnetic waves as heat sources include, but are not limited to:

• Light-matter interaction (theoretical and experimental)

• Microwave synthesis of ceramic materials, glass, composites, and glass ceramics

• Synthesis of oxide and non-oxide high entropy glass-ceramics and ceramics

• Processing and sintering of ceramics, ceramics composites, glass, and glass-ceramics

• Drying using microwave radiation

• Characterizations techniques using microwave radiation

• Surface heat-treatment and/or engineering

• Additive manufacturing development

• Crystallization processes and techniques

• Development of new multi-functional materials and/or design

• Laser processing of biomaterials

• New sensors development. Electrochemical and/or optical properties

• New materials processing techniques (laser/microwave)

• Glass, glass-ceramics and Ceramic-based composites (laser/microwave).

Keywords: microwave synthesis, laser processing, microwave drying, ceramic materials, glass and glass ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, ceramic composites, sensors, devices

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.