This book highlights the preparation of ceramics using pond/fly ash. Since the mullite phase formed by heat treatment improves the properties of ceramics, current investigations will perhaps be the first attempt to develop ceramics using pond ash. The properties of components made with these developed ceramics are found to be comparable to those made with porcelain.

The extensively reviewed chapters of this book illustrate the current status of research on these materials. At the end of each of the 10 chapters, conclusions are drawn which will benefit researchers working in this area. Subject discussed include:

• The fundamentals of thermal power plant wastes;
• Different production methods of ceramics and various characterization techniques;
• The preparation of ceramics from fly ash and fly ash/kaolin composite;
• The production of ceramics using pond ash;
• The preparation and characterization of geopolymer from pond ash and the preparation of pond ash composite;
• Production of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) using pond ash and pyrophyllite;
• The preparation of ceramics using pond ash and k-feldspar mixture.

Muktikanta Panigrahi, PhD, completed his doctorate in materials science, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Odisha, India. He has completed a project on Geopolymer sponsored by the Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India. He has innovations/discoveries in the area of Geopolymer/MMCs/Ceramics/Polymers and is skilled in the field of basification of industrial wastes, organic semiconductors, biodegradable polymers and gas sensors.

Ratan Indu Ganguly, PhD, completed his doctorate in materials science, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He has 50 years of experience for academic teaching. He has completed an industry sponsored project for the development of floor and wall tiles from industrial waste such as fly ash. He is now supporting a research project which relates to development of geopolymer from pond ash.

Radha Raman Dash, PhD, completed his doctorate in materials science, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He spent decades at the CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur as Senior Scientist. He now is Dean of research & development), Gandhi Institute of Engg. & Technology, University, Gunupur, Orissa. He has 10 inventions/discoveries and his research interests are in foundry, composite materials, corrosion, ceramic matrix composites, fractal images and advanced materials.