Abstract 1
Different concepts illustrate how to transform discoveries into inventions and sometimes, finally into innovations. The first example reports about processing µ-meter tiny tin oxide gas sensors synthesized and shaped via colloid chemistry technologies on silicon nitride micro-hot-plates on silicon [1].These sensor arrays are integrated in microelectronics and operate as electronic noses.The second example reports about tailoring Janus type nano-particle surfaces in colloids leading to ceramic foams, emulsions and colloidosomes. They have a wide variety of complex microstructures that allow many new applications to be developed [2].The third example illustrates processes for ultra-thin ceramic films and foils enabling µ-solid oxide fuel cells for battery replacements with hitherto unrivaled energy densities forportable electronics [3].By using principles found in natural composites such as Nacre, layered polymer/ceramic hybrid composites combining high tensile strength and high ductility are possible [4]. These novel polymer-ceramic composites allow scratch resistant paints and laminates opening up markets thatwere new for ceramics up to now.Finally, rapid prototyping of ceramic components from presintered blanks of 3m% Yttriastabilized Zirconia enabled in recent years all ceramic teeth, crowns and bridges [5]. With thisexample, we demonstrate how the rigorous combination of well-known ceramic technologieschanged practice in dental restoration.In all these examples some criteria are essential for the successful mutation of inventions intoinnovations using well known colloidal principles.
Literature:
[1] M. Heule, S. Vuillemin and L. J. Gauckler, Advanced Materials, 15 (2003) 1237–1245
[2] A. R. Studart, U. T. Gonzenbach, E. Tervoort, and L. J. Gauckler, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 89
(2006) 1771–1789
[3] U. P. Muecke, D. Beckel, A. Bernard, A. Bieberle-Hutter, S. Graf, A. Infortuna, P. Muller, J.
L. M. Rupp, J. Schneider, and L. J. Gauckler, Advanced Functional Materials 18 (2008) 3158-
3168
[4] L. J. Bonderer, A. R. Studart, and L. J. Gauckler, Science, 319 (2008) 1069-1073.
[5] I. Sailer, A. Feher, F. Filser, L. J. Gauckler, H. Luthy, and C. H. F. Hammerle, Int. J. of
Prosthodontics, 20 (2007)

Abstract 2
Novel materials can be derived via colloid chemistry routes from particles that are driven to a liquid/gas or liquid/liquid interface. To irreversiiblyadsorbe particles (metals, ceramics, polymers or cements) at gas/liquid or liquid/liquid interface their surfaces are lyophobized through the adsorption of short-chain amphiphilic molecules and used to stabilize foams [1], emulsions [2,3]. This functionlization of the surfaces enables to create foams, emulsions and composites of different microstructural architectures. New highly porous ceramics [4], metals and polymers are possible with air contents up to 98%. These materials have many potential applications from insultation boards to bone replacement and electrets. Hollow and filled particle capsules can also be prepared by this method and applied in paints and as drug release agents [5]. The same principles again can be used to create free standing, transparent ceramic filmswith aspect ratios of 1:20 000.
[1] U. T. Gonzenbach, A. R. Studart, E. Tervoort, and L. J. Gauckler; Angew. Chem., 118, 3606
–3610 (2006)
[2] Akartuna, I.; Studart, A. R.; Tervoort, E.; Gonzenbach, U. T.; Gauckler, L. J.; Langmuir,
24(14); 7161-7168 ( 2008)
[3] I. Akartuna,A. R. Studart, E. Tervoort, and L. J. Gauckler, Adv. Mater. 2008, 20, 4714–4718
[4] U. T. Gonzenbach, A. R. Studart,E. Tervoort, and L. J. Gauckler,J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 90
[1] 16–22 (2007)
[5] I. Akartuna, A. R. Studart, E.Tervoort, U. T. Gonzenbach, and L.J. Gauckler; Langmuir,
2008, 24 (14), 7161-7168

CV
Ludwig J. Gauckler received his degree in physics at the University of Stuttgart and his Ph.D. in materials science in 1977. As senior scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Metals and Materials Research in Stuttgart he carried out research in the area of high performance structural and functional ceramics. He was research associate at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1977. From 1979 to 1988 he was responsible for the inorganic non-metallic materials development in the central laboratories of Alusuisse-Lonza AG. Since 1988 he is Professor for "Nonmetallic Inorganic Materials" in the Department of Material Science at the ETH-Zurich. He served as head of the Department from 1991-1993. He was guest professor at the Tsinghua University in Beijing in 1993 and at the MIT, Boston in 2001.
Ludwig Gauckler and his co-workers received several national and international awards for their work on colloid chemistry for ceramic processing and high temperature solid oxide fuel cells, among them the Award for Real Advances in Materials from NASTS and the Federation of Materials Societies. He is Fellow of the American Ceramic Society and served as President of the scientific advisory board of the Swiss Academy of Technical Sciences (SATW). He is member of the Academy of Ceramics, and serves on the boards of several high-tech companies and on the editorial boards of the Journal of Electro ceramics, Ceramic International and Materials Science and Engineering A.
His research interests include structural ceramics, high Tc-superconductors, computer assisted modelling of thermodynamics and heterogeneous phase equilibria, mixed ionic-electronic conducting oxides and colloidal chemistry for ceramic processing.
Prof. Gauckler published more than 180 scientific papers and holds 15 patents.