Ceramics in Europe — An Overview

Abstract

This is the third conference of this title spanning some 5 years. In giving the Opening Address I will, no doubt, raise as many questions as explanations for the apparently low level of additional exploitation relative to the considerable input in terms of research and development (R and D) expenditure. It is, however, not uncommon for many decades to pass before new or improved materials find their way into common engineering use. The transistor was originally conceived in the 1930s and it required the impetus of national defence crises worldwide to push its development into sophisticated products; development costs were ‘lost’. Development of the transistor into cost-effective civil products for wider use was therefore given a ‘free investment’.