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This thesis examines the nature of the way body language and movement is perceived in the context of abstracted sculptures. The way these abstracted sculptures become creatures and the evolution thereof. It also explores the ways that concepts are altered in response to different media, evolving yet further.

As our understanding of ceramic processing methods for the purpose of fabricating polycrystalline optical materials has increased over the past few decades, the race is on to bring ceramic technology to markets where single crystalline materials have traditionally been used. One such market is scintillators. This Master’s thesis focuses specifically on a class of materials attractive for use as gamma-ray scintillators. These barium based halides can potentially be utilized in applications ranging from ionizing radiation detection in the field to high-energy physics experimentation. Barium bromide iodide and barium chloride single crystals have already showed high light yield, fast scintillation decay, and high energy resolution, all desirable properties for a scintillator. This work attempts to show the likelihood of moving towards polycrystalline scintillators to take advantage of the lower processing temperature, higher manufacturing output, and overall reduced cost. The experiments begin with identifying appropriate sintering conditions for hot pressed ceramics of BaBrI and BaCl2. Possible sources of optical loss in the first phase of hot pressed samples are investigated using a wide range of characterization tools. Preliminary luminescence and scintillation measurements are reported for a translucent sample of BaBrI. Recommendations are made to move toward highly transparent ceramics with scintillation properties approaching those measured in single crystal samples

A method has been developed to produce bulk ceramic components from a class of ceramics known as polymer derived ceramics. In the past polymer derived ceramics have been limited to thin film applications or in the fabrication of MEMS devices. The reason being that when the polymer is into a ceramic, large quantities of gas are generated which produce internal pressure that fractures the ceramic components. The method developed here solves that issue by casting into the polymer a 3 dimensional network of polymer fibers in the form of a foam which, during pyrolysis, burns out and leaves a network of open channels that allows decomposition gases to escape thus preventing pressure from building up. The inclusion of the polymer foam allows for the formation of strong plastic like green bodies which can be machined into any shape. The green bodies are then pyrolized into ceramic components. This process allows for the simple and inexpensive fabrication of complex ceramic components that have the potential to replace current components that are made with traditional methods.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: There is no international standardized guidance to quantify translucency in dentistry. Numerous non-standardized terms are being used to describe the degree of translucency by the manufacturers. This makes it hard for the dental community to find definite and compare easy information. PURPOSE: To attempt exploring the standardization of the quantification of translucency in dental ceramics by comparing various optical property measurements including Contrast Ratio (CR), Translucency Parameter (TP) and transmission, gloss and surface roughness and by investigating the relationship between thickness, polish grade and translucency. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four monolithic zirconia materials were used in this study; VITA-YZ Translucent, High Translucent, Super Translucent and Extra Translucent. IPS e.max CAD HT was used as a control. Specimens for each of these materials were prepared in 125 µm, 70 µm, 15 µm, and 0.5 µm polished surface in the following thicknesses: 1.00 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.50 mm and 0.35 mm thickness. Each group contained 10 specimens and the following tests were completed: transmission, CR and TP using a X-rite Ci6700 spectrophotometer, surface roughness by profilometer and gloss index by a glossmeter. Data was analyzed by using two-way ANOVA for different groups and Tukey’s for paired groups. Coefficient of absorption and loss of reflectance ratio were calculated. RESULTS: Reducing thickness and increasing polishing grade increase translucency. Material type, thickness and polishing grade significantly affected the translucency. A strong positive (r=0.99) linear correlation between transmission and TP was determined and these have a strong negative (r=-0.99) linear correlation with CR. CONCLUSION: Thickness, polishing grade and material type are major contributing factors to the translucency of ceramics. E.max HT is significantly more translucent than zirconia. Transmission is viable to be used as a standardized measurement of translucency with standardized material settings of 1mm thickness and optical polishing (polishing grade of 0.5 µm or its equivalent).

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This research focused on the petrographic analysis of prehistoric ceramics within the East Midlands. Prior assessments have been intermittent and not drawn together by a research-based agenda, with a few notable exceptions. This research uses petrographic analysis to shed light on early prehistoric society within Leicestershire, a county overlooked in comparison to other regions. The aim of this research was to investigate the procurement of raw materials and the subsequent production of Neolithic and early Bronze Age ceramics in Leicestershire, placing the county in its regional context. Petrographic slides from several early prehistoric sites were produced and analysed to determine the presence of any non-local material within the fabric of the ceramics. Existing petrographic data from other sites in the East Midlands were used as a comparative data set to test whether the ceramics from Leicestershire were typical or atypical of the wider production and procurement pattern. The results of the petrographic analysis on the Leicestershire sites indicated that the clay and inclusions were most likely of local origin, with no definitive evidence for non-local inclusions. However, the results from the comparative petrographic data obtained from sites within the wider East Midlands does support the movement of raw materials and/or finished ceramic products within the region. Preferential sources appear to have been continually exploited, both chronologically and geographically. The prime target of the exploitation was the Charnwood Forest area of Leicestershire, with groups from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire utilising this resource in addition to more local groups within Leicestershire.

Distinctive Marksville-style pottery is characteristic of the Middle Woodland period (200 B.C. – A.D. 500) in the Lower Mississippi River Valley and adjacent regions. Marksville material is common in the Lower Mississippi Valley, and the scarcity of similar pottery in northeastern Mississippi and western Alabama has caused claims that Marksville pots were imported into those areas; however, they may have been locally made. To test these alternative possibilities, the elemental composition of some Marksville-style potsherds, other pottery, and clays from various archaeological sites spanning the above regions was characterized using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The results show that the analyzed Marksville-style pottery shares similar elemental profiles with locally common wares and local clays in the sample, allowing the conclusion that all of these Marksville specimens were made in the regions where they were found.