Ceramic Technology

Topics Overview The work Job profile Requirement Growth And money Employment Resources

Overview


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What do astronauts, dentists, clumsy dishwashers, and astronomers have in common? Each depends on ceramic technologists to develop such varied products as protective tiles for space shuttles, ceramic fillings for teeth, unbreakable dinner plates, and sophisticated telescope lenses.

Ceramics have applications in virtually any industry which demands the use of heat-resistant materials. Ceramic technologists are specialists in the study of these materials, their behavior, application, and use.

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The Work

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Ceramic technologists develop methods for processing non-metallic inorganic materials into many ceramic products ranging from glassware, fiber optics products, cement, and bricks, to coatings for space vehicles, materials for microelectronics, components of nuclear fuel, and pollution control devices.

Recent advances in physics and chemistry have expanded the applications of ceramic engineering from traditionally established industries to projects that encompass every area of technology.

The major functions of ceramic technologists are research, product development, and production engineering. The technologist is frequently challenged to produce new ideas and to suggest solutions to difficult problems.

Technologists may have extensive responsibilities such as preparing labour cost analyses or troubleshooting problems.

The ceramic technologist's work world varies from job to job according to the speciality and place of employment. As a research director, for example, the ceramic technologist may spend much of the day in the office evaluating and planning new projects or consulting with other technologists and company executives.

By contrast, new technologists working in firms that manufacture ceramic products may work primarily in the laboratory where much of the time is spent running physical or chemical tests on raw materials or finished products and analysing the results.

Tension may be a part of the job when difficulty is encountered in meeting production schedules or project deadlines.

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Job Profile

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Ceramic technologists often specialise in one or more products: whitewares (porcelain and china dinnerware or high voltage electrical insulators), structural materials (brick, tile, and turbine blades), electronic ceramics (magnetics, memory systems, and microwave devices), protective and refractory coatings for metals, glass products, abrasives, and fuel elements for nuclear energy.

Ceramic technologists experienced in both scientific and production aspects of the profession may also work as administrators, project supervisors, sales technologists or technical consultants to firms using ceramic materials.

One of the top priority projects of ceramic technologists is the development of a ceramic engine which would replace the present diesel, gasoline and turbo engines.

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Requirement
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A Bachelor of Science degree in ceramic engineering or materials science is virtually always required for entry-level jobs. Some firms, however, accept workers whose degrees are in materials engineering, physical chemistry, physics, or metallurgy if the under-graduate programme has included ceramics.

Advanced training and degrees are required for an increasing number of jobs in the ceramic technology field, particularly for those technologists who specialise in research and development.

Ceramic technologists frequently work with people from many levels. They must be able to communicate their ideas to managers, technicians, craftworkers, production workers, and customers alike.

They should be able to work as part of a team, be innovative, and have an analytical mind. They should also demonstrate initiative and a capacity for remembering details, plus have the ability to cut across various disciplines and systematically evaluate and solve problems.

Success in this profession requires a solid background in mathematics, physical, and social sciences, as well as ceramic engineering analysis and design.

Most technologists who seek top industrial executive positions in administration or management will find it advantageous to obtain graduate or doctoral degrees in ceramic technology, materials science or business administration.

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Growth And Money
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Ceramic engineering graduates usually begin as junior or assistant technologists and, as they gain experience, may advance to positions of greater responsibility. Depending on the structure and product line of the firm, a technologist may advance to supervising engineer, chief engineer or plant manager.

The ceramic technologist engaged in research may be given increasingly responsible assignments with corresponding salary increases and may progress to such positions as supervisor, project engineer or director of research.

Top salaries vary widely according to the size of the firms, the type of work done, and the extent of the technologist's experience.

Life, health, and accident insurance and retirement benefits are usually offered to ceramic technologists on a contributing or employer-paid basis. Some employers also offer stock options, profit-sharing plans or pay annual bonuses.

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Employment
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There is a shortage of ceramic technologists. Many ceramic technologists work in the nuclear field, as ceramic fuel materials make nuclear power generation possible. The electronics industry is a growth area for this technology, as ceramics are used as insulators for transistors and integrated circuits.

Refractory ceramics are required in the refining of iron and aluminum, and this industry is especially in need of this type of worker.

The exciting new field of fiber optics has had a dramatic effect on today's telecommunication and medical industries, and since ceramic components are used, ceramic technologists are playing a vital role in this new science.

One of the top research projects of ceramic technologists is the development of a ceramic engine which would replace the present diesel, gasoline, and turbo engines. This new engine would withstand extremely high temperatures, would be much lighter, would be more efficient, and would not wear out like metal engines.

To maintain a competitive edge in the market, ceramic companies will often hire ceramic technologists to serve in vital business and management areas.

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Resources
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Students pursuing Physics, Chemistry and Maths must clear the entrance test to engineering colleges offering a B.Tech. (Ceramics) course. Postgraduate courses can be taken by graduates in the subject or related disciplines. GATE scores may be required.

Courses and Institutions

B.Sc. or B.Tech (four years) or M.Tech (one and a half years)

Institution or Unversity	Seats	Course
College of Ceramic Technology, 73, A.C. Bannerjee Lane, Calcutta 700 010	40	B.Sc.(Technology) four years
Indian Institute of Ceramics, (care of) Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Calcutta 700 032	--	Correspondance course equivalent to B.Sc. (Technology)
University College of Science & Technology, 92, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Calcutta 700 009	20	B.Sc.(Honours) B.Tech. Ceramics
Benaras Hindu University, Institute of Technology, Varanasi 221 005	45	B.Tech. M.Tech.
Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai 400 076	11	Five-years, dual degree programme in M.Tech Ceramics and Composites
Regional Engineering College, Rourkela 769 008	15	B.E. Ceramics
PDA College of Engineering, Gulbarga 580 5102	40	B.E. in Cement and Ceramics Technology
Anna University, Allagappa College of Technology, Guindy, Chennai 600 025	20	B.Tech. Ceramics

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