CERAMICS AND STORAGE
More than two thousand years ago, the Mayans of eastern Guatemala
used ceramic
teapots to pour themselves hot cocoa (or some chocolate drink, at any
rate). In ancient Greece and Rome, communities stored grain in earthenware
pots, safeguarding their bushels from rodents and rot. Reaching even
further back, to the late Pleistocene of twenty thousand years ago,
*Paleolithic
foragers near the Yangtze River*
<http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2009/06/worlds-oldest-pottery> used ceramic
vessels as tools for cooking—a sophisticated strategy for eking out more
calories. So ceramic is never a modern.
2 Ceramics are tools that exist as the result of combining three
expertises. These tools depend on:
1. Understanding clay as a raw material;
2. Having a working knowledge of how to vary fire to harden that clay;
3. Having a working theory of containment.
*Pottery-making*
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/20177403?mag=three-technologies-ceramics> is a
series of tradeoffs that requires the ability to successfully negotiate
these three technologies. And as with any type of tool technology,
ceramic-making shows choices made over and over. Choices about clay: Is it
from close by? Farther away? How will it hold up over time? Choices about
firing temperature: High? Low? What do different temperatures do for
different types of clay and different vessel shapes? Choices about what the
ceramic will do: Does it need to be watertight? Does it need to be
rodentproof? Combine these three technologies with the artistic choices
that go into decorating pottery, and it’s easy to see why tools made using
these techniques, once mastered, became the most ubiquitous artifacts in
the course of human history.
3 Clay is malleable and almost plastic-like when wet, but rigid when
dry. Prehistoric makers of ceramics combined the raw clay materials with a
*temper*—any material that prevents shrinkage when clay is heated
up—allowing them to moderate the look, feel, and structural properties of
clay. Temper is an integral additive to get the clay to behave in certain
ways. The type of temper used in pottery depends on both the materials
available to the ceramic makers as well as the desired effect of the
additive. Examples of temper include fibers, sands, and shells. Each type
of temper combined with each type of clay creates a soil with unique
properties; manipulating these soil properties is what underlies clay
technology.
4 MEMORY MATERIALS: Shape-memory metals, which can revert from one
shape to a different one simply by being warmed or otherwise triggered,
have been useful in a variety of applications, as actuators that can
control the movement of various devices. Now, the discovery of a new
category of shape-memory materials made of ceramic rather than of metal
could open up a new range of applications, especially for high-temperature
settings, such as actuators inside a jet engine or a deep borehole. The new
findings were reported today in the journal *Nature*, in a paper by former
doctoral student Edward Pang PhD ’21 and professors Gregory Olson and
Christopher Schuh, all in MIT’s Department of Materials Science and
Engineering. Shape-memory materials, Schuh explains, have two distinct
shapes, and can switch back and forth between them. They can be easily
triggered by temperature, mechanical stress, or electric or magnetic
fields, to change shape in a way that exerts force, he says. “They are
interesting materials because they’re sort of like a solid-state piston,”
he says — in other words, a device that can push against something. But
while a piston is an assembly of many parts, a “shape-memory material is a
solid-state material that does all of that. It doesn’t need a system. It
doesn’t need many parts. It’s just a material, and it changes its shape
spontaneously. It can do work. So, it’s interesting as a ‘smart material,’”
he says. Shape-memory metals have long been used as simple actuators in a
variety of devices but are limited by the achievable service temperatures
of the metals used, usually a few hundred degrees Celsius at most. Ceramics
can withstand much higher temperatures, sometimes up to thousands of
degrees, but are known for their brittleness. Now, the MIT team has found a
way to overcome that and produce a ceramic material that can actuate
without accumulating damage, thus making it possible for it to function
reliably as a shape-memory material through many cycles of use.
5 A recent piece in the Atlantic
<https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/01/human-knowledge-salt-mine/512552/>
details
an ambitious project to preserve the world's digital knowledge in event of
global catastrophe. This is a serious issue, as most of today's digital
storage needs to be copied every few years - disks wear out, flash in SSDs
loses charge - and there are multiple efforts underway to protect our
digital civilization from massive data loss.Headed by Martin Kunze, the
project hopes to snapshot all of humanity's knowledge, commit it to durable
ceramic plates, and hide it in an Austrian salt mine. Ceramics are a
time-tested storage medium: the world's oldest written records are recorded
on clay, and are over 5,000 years old.Kunze's idea is to*. . . laser-print
a microscopic font onto 1-mm-thick ceramic sheets, encased in wafer-thin
layers of glass. One 20 cm piece of this microfilm can store 5 million
characters; whole libraries of information- readable with a 10x-magnifying
lens-could be slotted next to each other and hardly take up any
space.*Magnetically-encoded
data - disk or tape - is remarkably vulnerable to large-scale events, such
an electro-magnetic pulse from an atomic weapon, or a powerful solar
coronal blast, as well as a host of lesser ills. While data capacity has
been getting cheaper for decades, making it economical to preserve old
data, that trend can't last forever - so it won't - and we'll be faced with
deciding what data to keep and what to delete.Most current preservation
projects, such as LOCKSS <https://www.lockss.org/> (Lots Of Copies Keeps
Stuff Safe) or DuraSpace <http://duraspace.org/about.php>, address
preservation, but primarily with magnetic storage. My favorite personal
archival medium is the 1,000 year DVD
<https://www.zdnet.com/article/torture-testing-the-1000-year-dvd/>, which
stores almost 1,000 times the data of one of Kunze's ceramic plates, but
isn't human readable.Any human readable storage medium, even one that uses
microscopes, will have relatively low storage density. Five gigabytes of
ceramic plates would require over two meters - about 10 feet - of linear
shelf space. Five terabytes would require 2km of shelving, while five
petabytes would need 2,000km of shelving. And the world is producing
thousands of petabytes of data every year.Thus the project requires
curating the permanently preserved data. Who chooses what is preserved and
what isn't? How would the information be updated, if new discoveries render
old data moot? Herr Kunze is addressing an important problem, and human
readable media is a reassuring backup against the possibility of global
collapse - a new Dark Ages - in the wake of nuclear war or climate
disaster. With the rise of global instability, now is the time to protect
our heritage from possible cataclysms.
6 Hence it is better we store all our memories in the tiles at our
feet at home, and record all so that in the kritha yuga we can read back
KR IRS 24 6 23
On Fri, 23 Jun 2023 at 05:56, 'gopala krishnan' via Thatha_Patty <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *CULTURAL QA 06-2023-23*
>
> Q1 What should you know about ceramic tiles?
>
> A1 VS Water proofing, Jun 16
>
> Ceramic tiles are known for their durability, versatility, and aesthetic
> appeal. They come in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures,
> allowing for endless design possibilities. The tiles can be glazed or
> unglazed, depending on the desired finish and functionality.
>
> *Glazed ceramic tiles have a layer of liquid glass applied to the surface
> before firing*, which creates a protective coating and adds a glossy or
> matte finish. This glaze also allows for a wide variety of decorative
> patterns and colors.
>
> *Unglazed ceramic tiles, on the other hand, do not have this surface
> coating and retain a more natural, earthy appearance*. They may require
> sealing to enhance their stain resistance.
>
> *Ceramic tiles are commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and
> other areas that experience high levels of moisture, as they are
> water-resistant and easy to clean*. They are also suitable for both
> indoor and outdoor applications, depending on the specific tile type.
>
> *My note- Indoor applications are fixing in kitchen* and work area walls,
> above wash basin. Outdoor applications are for overhead RCC water tank
> inside fixing, sump inside fixing, portico walls to about 2 feet, Tulsi
> matam etc. There are many homes in Kerala where outside walls, bottom for
> about 2 feet tiles are fitted. Decorative tiles are fitted to compound
> wall in the front of the home.
>
> *2nd answer- Gruha Pravesh, An Interior designing farm with 10 years of
> existence. Jun 17*
>
> Ceramic tiles are a popular choice for various applications due to their
> unique characteristics and aesthetic appeal. Here are some key things to
> know about ceramic tiles.
>
> Composition: Ceramic tiles are made from a *mixture of clay, minerals,
> and water, which is shaped and fired at high temperatures*. The
> composition can vary, but ceramic tiles typically consist of a clay body
> and a glaze or protective layer.
>
> Types of Ceramic Tiles: There are different types of ceramic tiles,
> including glazed ceramic tiles and unglazed ceramic tiles. *Glazed tiles
> have a protective glaze layer on the surface, which provides a wide range
> of colors*, patterns, and finishes. Unglazed tiles do not have a glaze
> layer and offer a more natural, matte appearance.
>
> *Durability: Ceramic tiles are known for their* durability and resistance
> to wear and tear. They are highly resistant to scratches, stains, and
> fading. However, the durability can vary depending on the quality of the
> tile and its intended use.
>
> *Water Resistance: Ceramic tiles have excellent* water resistance, making
> them suitable for areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and
> laundry rooms. Properly installed and grouted ceramic tiles create a
> waterproof surface.
>
> Maintenance: Ceramic tiles are relatively easy to clean and maintain.
> Regular sweeping or vacuuming, followed by mopping with a mild detergent or
> tile cleaner, is typically sufficient. Grout lines may require occasional
> cleaning and sealing to prevent staining and discoloration.
>
> Versatility: Ceramic tiles come in a wide range of colors, patterns,
> shapes, and sizes, offering versatility in design options. They can be used
> for flooring, walls, backsplashes, countertops, and even decorative accents.
>
> Installation: Ceramic tiles are installed using adhesive or mortar and
> require proper surface preparation. Professional installation is
> recommended to ensure the tiles are correctly positioned, leveled, and
> grouted for a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing result.
>
> *Heat Resistance: While ceramic tiles can withstand high temperatures,
> they may crack if exposed to extreme thermal shocks.* Therefore, caution
> should be exercised when using ceramic tiles around fireplaces or in areas
> with rapid temperature changes.
>
> Eco-Friendly: Ceramic tiles are often considered an eco-friendly choice
> as they are made from natural materials, such as clay and minerals. They
> are also non-toxic and do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into
> the air.
>
> Cost: The cost of ceramic tiles can vary depending on factors such as
> quality, size, design, and brand. Generally, ceramic tiles are more
> affordable compared to other types of flooring or wall covering materials
> like natural stone or porcelain.
>
> It's important to note that specific characteristics and considerations
> may vary among different types and brands of ceramic tiles, so it's
> recommended to consult with manufacturers or professionals for detailed
> information and guidance based on your specific needs.
>
> Q2 What are 7 things you need to know about ceramic tiles for
> your home?
>
> A2 SUN HAVEN, Knows Arabic May 5
>
> Here are seven things you need to know about ceramic tiles for your home:
>
> *Ceramic tiles are made from natural materials such as clay, sand, and
> water*. They are then heated at high temperatures to create a hard,
> durable surface.
>
> Ceramic tiles come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and sizes,
> making them versatile for many applications, including walls, floors,
> countertops, and backsplashes.
>
> They are a low-maintenance flooring option that is easy to clean and
> resist scratches and stains. Regular sweeping and mopping will keep them
> looking new for years to come.
>
> Ceramic tiles are an eco-friendly
>
> Q3 What are the types of ceramic tiles?
>
> A3 Mihir Mehta,2y
>
> There are many types of ceramic tiles. I will list down few of them:
>
> Vitrified Tile
>
> Porcelain Tiles
>
> Glazed Tiles
>
> Cement Tiles
>
> When it comes to flooring material, the options are endless, but for most
> of us, renovating the house is a task that needs to be completed within a
> fixed budget.
>
> So, if you are planning on renovating your house anytime soon, I would
> suggest you take ceramic tiles under serious consideration. We are sure
> you won’t be disappointed.
>
> Q4 Why are ceramic tiles better?
>
> A4 Jindal Tiles, 6mo
>
> One of the best kinds of flooring is ceramic tiles because it provides
> several advantages :
>
> One of the main advantages of ceramic tiles is that they’re more
> affordable than other kinds of flooring.
>
> *You can easily maintain them by sweeping or vacuuming any dust and dirt
> that accumulate on the tiles.*
>
> Ceramic tiles are one of the most durable kinds of tiles on the market and can
> last around 10-20 years with proper maintenance. It takes a lot of weight
> for a ceramic tile to break.
>
> Another advantage of ceramic tiles is that it comes in several styles,
> patterns, and designs. This is perfect if you want different looks in
> various parts of the home.
>
> Ceramic tiles are more fire resistant than other tiles because it’s
> manufactured at a very high temperature. It doesn’t burn easily even when
> you drop a lighted cigarette on the floor.
>
> Jindal Tiles is one of the best tiles showrooms in Delhi, dealing in
> designer and customized tiles to adorn your spaces. We have a fine
> collection of imported tiles from Italian to Spanish. From the beginning,
> our priority has been to maximize customer satisfaction, in regard to
> quality, price, and range of products. With our customizable designer
> tiles, we can totally transform your kitchen. We have the best sanitaryware
> shop in Indirapuram and provide the services of bathroom layout design. We
> offer a full range of bathroom fittings from tiles, to modern vanities,
> shower enclosures, and much more.
>
> My note- Just for information about tiles
>
> Q5 How are ceramic tiles made?
>
> A5 Jim Dalton,5th generation DIY'er, nurturing two more
> generations Updated 3y
>
> *There are two major classes of ceramic tiles. First and most common are
> the machine made* tiles which are made in the dozens of factories around
> the country. *These tiles are stamped from clay, glazes are sprayed on,
> and then fired in continuous conveyor kilns.*
>
> *Secondly are the handmade tiles, such as those we* make. Those tiles are
> made by hand, glazed by hand, glazed individually and fired in a stationery
> kiln.
>
> *All the above QA are from Quora website on 23-06- 2023.*
>
> *Quora answers need not be 100% correct answers .*
>
> *Compiled **and posted by R. Gopala krishnan, on 23-06-2023*
>
>
>
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