When we hear the word ceramics, we might think of applications in high- tech industries, such as electronic components, cutting tools, dental materials, artificial bones, nuclear materials, and space shuttle components. The ceramic research community has greatly focused on these kinds of ceramics, called technical ceramics.

On the other hand, imagine that you are writing a research proposal about these ceramics—you might have a cup of coffee nearby, or you may be sitting in a ceramic-floored room. That cup and those floor tiles are also ceramics, called whitewares, and they too have a rich history and significant impact on our lives.