Based on the sintering conference held at the Pennsylvania State University, USA, this text presents advances in the application of sintering to the most important industrial materials. It offers results on both solid-state and microphase sintering as well as microstructure evolution, and introduces new applications, processes, materials and solutions to technical problems.

The global increase in air travel will require commercial vehicles to be more efficient than ever before. Advanced engine hot section materials are a key technology required to keep fuel consumption and emission to a minimum in next-generation gas turbines. Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are the most promising material to revolutionize gas turbine hot section materials technology because of their excellent high‐temperature properties. Rapid surface recession due to volatilization by water vapor is the Achilles heel of CMCs. Environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) is an enabling technology for CMCs, since it protects CMCs from water vapor. The first CMC component entered into service in 2016 in a commercial engine, and more CMC components are scheduled to follow within the next few years. One of the most difficult challenges to CMC components is EBC durability, because failure of EBC leads to a rapid reduction in CMC component life. Key contributors to EBC failure include recession, oxidation, degradation by calcium‐aluminum‐magnesium silicates (CMAS) deposits, thermal and thermo‐mechanical strains, particle erosion, and foreign object damage (FOD). Novel EBC chemistries, creative EBC designs, and robust processes are required to meet EBC durability challenges. Engine-relevant testing, characterization, and lifing methods need to be developed to improve EBC reliability. The aim of this Special Issue is to present recent advances in EBC technology to address these issues. In particular, topics of interest include but are not limited to the following: • Novel EBC chemistries and designs; • Processing including plasma spray, suspension plasma spray, solution precursor plasma spray, slurry process, PS-PVD, EB-PVD, and CVD; • Testing, characterization, and modeling; • Lifing.

Ceramic fuel cells, commonly known as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), have been under development for a broad range of electric power generation applications. The most attractive feature of the SOFC is its clean and efficient production of electricity from a variety of fuels. The SOFC has the potential to be manufactured and operated cost-effectively. The widening interest in this technology, thus, arises from the continuing need to develop cleaner and more efficient means of converting energy sources into useful forms.This topical book provides a comprehensive treatise on solid oxide fuel cells and succeeds successfully in filling the gap in the market for a reference book in this field. Directed towards scientists, engineers, and technical managers working with SOFCs as well as ceramic devices based on conducting materials, and in related fields, the book will also be invaluable as a textbook for science and engineering courses.