For millennia, ceramics were largely utilized in their natural form, with basic heat treatments the main process affecting their final structure and properties. But as scientific understanding of materials and manufacturing methods advanced, scientists gained the ability to design highly engineered ceramics with unique and specialized characteristics.

The advent of nanoscale imaging and advanced design capabilities in the 20^th century greatly boosted the profile of engineering ceramics as a field, which The American Ceramic Society recognized in 1985 when the Ceramic-Metal Systems Division changed its name to Engineering Ceramics. That Division will now celebrate the golden jubilee of the International Conference and Expo on Advanced Ceramics and Composites later this month, and this column celebrates that milestone by showcasing articles that cover recent advances in engineering ceramics.