Contributions from three Focused Sessions that were part of the 34th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC), in Daytona Beach, FL, January 24-29, 2010 are presented in this volume. The broad range of topics is captured by the Focused Session titles, which are listed as follows: FS1 - Geopolymers and other Inorganic Polymers; FS3 - Computational Design, Modeling Simulation and Characterization of Ceramics and Composites; and FS4 - Nanolaminated Ternary Carbides and Nitrides (MAX Phases). The session on Geopolymers and other Inorganic Polymers continues to attract growing attention from international researchers (USA, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, and Viet Nam) and it is encouraging to see the variety of established and new applications being found for these novel and potentially useful materials. The session organizer gratefully acknowledges the support of the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) through Dr. Joan Fuller. The AFOSR has continuously supported these conferences since the first meeting in Nashville, TN in 2003. Focused Session 3 was dedicated to design, modeling, simulation and characterization of ceramics and composites. 27 technical papers were presented on prediction of crystal structure and phase stability, characterization of interfaces and grain boundaries at atomic scale, optimization of electrical, optical and mechanical properties, modeling of defects and related properties, design of materials and components at different length scales, application of novel computational methods for processing. Four of these papers are included in this issue of CESP. Focused Session 4 was dedicated to MAX phases - a class of ternary carbides and nitrides with nanolaminated structure and general formula Mn+1AXn (where M is an early transition metal, A is an A-group element from IIIA to VIA, X is either C or N, and n=1, 2, 3 ). The MAX phases have attracted recently a lot of attention because they possess unique combination of metallic- and ceramic-like properties. In all, 30 technical papers were presented during this session. Four of these papers are included in this issue.

Contributions from three Focused Sessions that were part of the34th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites(ICACC), in Daytona Beach, FL, January 24-29, 2010 are presented inthis volume. The broad range of topics is captured by the FocusedSession titles, which are listed as follows: FS1 - Geopolymers andother Inorganic Polymers; FS3 - Computational Design, ModelingSimulation and Characterization of Ceramics and Composites; and FS4 Nanolaminated Ternary Carbides and Nitrides (MAX Phases).The session on id="OLE_LINK1" name="OLE_LINK1">Geopolymers and other InorganicPolymers continues to attract growing attention frominternational researchers (USA, Australia, France, Germany, ItalyCzech Republic, and Viet Nam) and it is encouraging to see thevariety of established and new applications being found for thesenovel and potentially useful materials. The session organizergratefully acknowledges the support of the US Air Force Office ofScientific Research (AFOSR) through Dr. Joan Fuller. The AFOSR hascontinuously supported these conferences since the first meeting inNashville, TN in 2003.Focused Session 3 was dedicated to design, modeling, simulationand characterization of ceramics and composites. 27 technicalpapers were presented on prediction of crystal structure and phasestability, characterization of interfaces and grain boundaries atatomic scale, optimization of electrical, optical and mechanicalproperties, modeling of defects and related properties, design ofmaterials and components at different length scales, application ofnovel computational methods for processing. Four of these papersare included in this issue of CESP.Focused Session 4 was dedicated to MAX phases - a class ofternary carbides and nitrides with nanolaminated structure andgeneral formula Mn+1AXn (where M is an early transition metal, A isan A-group element from IIIA to VIA, X is either C or N, and n=12, 3 ...). The MAX phases have attracted recently a lot ofattention because they possess unique combination of metallic- andceramic-like properties. In all, 30 technical papers were presentedduring this session. Four of these papers are included in thisissue.

Preface ixIntroduction xiGEOPOLYMERS AND OTHER INORGANIC POLYMERSGeomaterial Foam to Reinforce Wood 3E. Prud'homme, P. Michaud, C. Peyratout, A. Smith, S. RossignolE. Joussein, and N. SauvâtEffect of Curing Conditions on the Porosity Characteristics ofMetakaolin-Fly Ash Geopolymers 11Tammy L. Metroke, Michael V. Henley, and Michael I.HammonsNew Insights on Geopolymerisation using Molybdate, Raman, andInfrared Spectroscopy 17C. H. Rüscher, E. Mielcarek, J. Wongpa, F. Jirasit, and W.LutzTransformation of Polysialate Matrixes from Al-Rich and Si-RichMetakaolins: Polycondensation and Physico-Chemical Properties35Elie Kamseu and Cristina LeonelliEffect of High Tensile Strength Polypropylene Chopped FiberReinforcements on the Mechanical Properties of Sodium BasedGeopolymer Composites 47Daniel R. Lowry and Waltraud M. KrivenProperties of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Composites51E. Rill, D. R. Lowry, and W. M. KrivenNovel Applications of Metal-Geopolymers 69Oleg Bortnovsky, Petr Bezucha, Petr Sazama, Jiri DëdecekZdena Tvarùzkovâ, and Zdenék SobalikMaking Foamed Concretes from Fly Ash Based on Geopolymer Method83Nhi Tuan Pham and Hoang Huy LePreparation of Electrically Conductive Materials Based onGeopolymers with Graphite 91Z. Cerny, I. Jakubec, P. Bezdicka, L. Sulc, J. Machacek, J.Bludskâ, and P. RoubicekEffect of Synthesis Parameters and Post-Cure Temperature on theMechanical Properties of Geopolymers Containing Slag 101Tammy L. Metroke, Brian Evans, Jeff Eichler, Michael I. Hammonsand Michael V. HenleyCOMPUTATIONAL DESIGN, MODELING, SIMULATION ANDCHARACTERIZATIONElectronic Structure and Band-Gaps of Eu-Doped LaSi3N5 TernaryNitrides 109L. Benco, Z. Lences, and P. SajgalikFirst Principle Molecular Dynamic Simulations of Oxygen PlasmaEtching of Organosilicate Low Dielectric Materials 119Jincheng Du and Mrunal ChaudhariKinetic Monte Carlo Simulation of Cation Diffusion inYttria-Stabilized Zirconia 127Brian GoodDynamic Neutron Diffraction Study of Thermal Stability andSelf-Recovery in Aluminium Titanate 139I. M. Low and Z. OoNANOLAMINATED TERNARY CARBIDES AND NITRIDESTitanium and Aluminium Based Compounds as a Precursor forSHSofTi2AIN 153L. Chlubny, J. Lis, and M. M. BuckoInvestigations on the Oxidation Behavior of Max-Phase BasedTi2AIC Coatings on 7-TiAI 161Maik FröhlichStudy of High-Temperature Thermal Stability of Max Phases inVacuum 171I. M. Low, W. K. Pang, S. J. Kennedy, and R. I. SmithDetection of Amorphous Silica in Oxidized Maxthal Ti3SiC2 at500-1000°C 181W. K. Pang, I. M. Low, J. V. Hanna, and J. P. PalmquistAuthor Index 191