Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century

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The last century has seen an exponential explosion in engineering developments that would not have been possible without ceramics. The following list of the National Academy of Engineering’s top 20 engineering achievements (www.greatachievements.org/) that have had the greatest impact on the quality of life in the 20th century shows how ceramic materials have made life easier for all humanity.

Achievement	How Ceramics Contribute:
1. Electrification	Electrical insulators for power lines, insulators for industrial/household applications, glass light bulbs
2. Automobile	Engine sensors, catalytic converters, spark plugs, windows, engine components, electrical devices
3. Airplane	Anti-fogging/freezing glass windows, jet engine components, electronic components
4. Safe water supply and treatment	Filters/membranes
5. Electronics	Substrates and IC packages, capacitors, piezoelectrics, insulators, magnets, superconductors
6. Radio and television	Glass tubes (CRTs), glass faceplate, phosphor coatings, electrical components, magnets
7. Agricultural mechanization	Refractories for melting and forming of ferrous and non-ferrous metal components
8. Computers	Electrical components, magnetic storage, glass for computer monitors
9. Telephone	Electrical components, glass optical fibers
10. Air conditioning and refrigeration	Glass fiber insulation, ceramic magnets
11.Interstate highways	Cement for roads and bridges, glass microspheres used to produce reflective paints for signs and road lines.
12. Space exploration	Space shuttle tile, high-temperature resistant components, ceramic ablation materials, electromagnetic and transparent windows, electrical components, telescope lenses
13. Internet	Electronic components, magnetic storage, computer monitor glass
14. Imaging: X-rays to film	Piezoceramic transducers for ultrasound diagnostics, sonar detection, ocean floor mapping and more, ceramic scintillator for X-ray computed tomography (CT scans), telescope lenses, glass monitors, phosphor coatings for radar and sonar screens
15. Household appliances	Porcelain enamel coatings for major appliances, glass fiber insulation for stoves and refrigerators, electrical components, glass-ceramic stove tops, spiral resistance heaters for toasters, ovens and ranges
16. Health technologies	Replacement joints, heart valves, bone substitutes, hearing aids, pacemakers, teeth replacements/braces, transducers for ultrasound diagnostics, scintillators for X-ray computed tomography (CT scans), cancer treatments
17. Petroleum and natural gas technologies	Ceramic catalysts, refractories, packing media for petroleum and gas refinement, cement and drill bits for well drilling
18. Lasers and fiber optics	Glass optical fibers, fiber amplifiers, laser materials, electronic components
19. Nuclear technologies	Fuel pellets, control rods, high-reliability seats and valves, nuclear waste containment
20. High-performance materials	Including advanced ceramics for their excellent wear, corrosion and high temperature resistance; high stiffness; high melting point; high compressive strength and hardness; and wide range of electrical, magnetic, and optical properties

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