Characterizing ice and snow is important not only for building accurate climate models, but also for activities such as relating the mechanical properties of sea ice to its microstructure so that the interaction of ice with ships and structures can be better understood. This article describes the microstructural characterization of ice. Many microstructural characterization techniques that can be applied to other materials also can be used to examine ice.

Aircraft engines that minimize fuel consumption and operate on sustainable aviation fuels are key to meeting the air transportation sector’s commitment to net zero CO 2 emissions by 2050. This article reports on work to implement sustainable propulsion technologies, including advanced gas turbine propulsion technologies, engines that are compatible with approved sustainable aviation fuels, hybrid-electric propulsion, and hydrogen propulsion. The article also describes efforts to reduce the environmental footprint related to condensation trails (contrails) from aircraft engine exhaust plumes.

The high heating and cooling rates of additive manufacturing make it a good fit for metallic glasses, whose high elasticity, strength, hardness, and corrosion resistance are used in high-performance applications such as aerospace, defense, and biomedical devices.

Nanobrazing is an innovative brazing technique that uses nanomaterials as the filler materials. Incorporating nanobrazing into conventional technologies such as vacuum and laser brazing creates a new frontier for repairing turbine blades and vanes. Due to the unique “nanopowdering” of filler materials, the metallurgical mechanisms and thermodynamics of nanobrazing show promise for innovative applications.

Lithium-ion batteries are an important enabling technology for electric vehicles. This article reports on a study in which an induction melting process was evaluated to produce LiFePO 4 (LFP) ingots as well as granules from low-cost precursors. The melt casting process can provide the benefits of utilizing various precursors, rapid reaction kinetics, homogeneous liquid composition, and scale-up readiness. More importantly, this process also offers the possibility of lower-cost battery materials at a similar or better performance level as compared to solid state methods. If successful, melt synthesis of battery cathode material could offer a novel application of the conventional casting process.

Among the structural materials developed in the 20th century, titanium and its alloys have played a leading role in improving component performance. This article provides background on the extraction and primary processing of titanium.

Fire risk in electric vehicle batteries can be reduced by detecting flaws through nondestructive visualization. Industrial computed tomography (CT scanning) combined with advanced software that makes sense of CT-generated images, allows users to measure voids and particle sizes within electrode active material during the research and development phase, detect delamination and contamination during cell manufacturing, analyze electrical connections and electrolyte fill levels, and provide many other quality-assurance functions that were once impractical or even impossible to perform.

The development of biocompatible resins and improvements in stereolithography are driving innovations in drug delivery, biosensing, diagnostic testing, and surgical devices and procedures.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM announces 2019 award recipients; ASM Historical Landmark designation for the Ferreria Mirandaola Ironworks, Legazpi, Guipúzcoa, Basque Country, Spain; contributor profile for George E. Totten; professional profile for Brenda L. Garcia-Diaz.

Improving the mechanical properties and wear resistance of polymers used as implant bearing materials requires new approaches and modern technology. This article describes recent work on translating novel materials and coatings into clinical practice to reduce risks and significantly improve orthopedic implant fixation and longevity.

Enhanced antiviral performance is associated with antipathogenic copper material consolidations obtained using cold spray processing.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM/TMS Distinguished Lectureship; Tribute to Dr. George A. Roberts; Author Spotlight for Mitchell R. Dorfman; Members in the News.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM affiliate societies name committee chairs for the 2018-2019 term; special Journal of Thermal Spray Technology (JTST) issue on biomaterials applications for thermal spray; update from the ASM Materials Education Foundation; professional profile for Rosanne Brunello.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM announces 2019 class of Fellows; ASM Indian Institute of Metals announces recipients of 2019 ASM/IIM Visiting Lectureship; Helmut Clemens named 2019 Henry Clifton Sorby awardee; contributor profile for J. Gilbert (Gil) Kaufman; volunteer profile for Chris Marvel; professional profile for Karen Sabo.