Direct-write assembly of ceramics from colloidal inks

Direct-write assembly of ceramic materials from colloidal inks allows the creation of complex 3-D structures that are inaccessible by traditional processing routes. The success of these emerging techniques hinges critically on the development of colloidal inks with tailored properties. Recent advances in this field are reviewed, which give rise to questions of practical as well as fundamental importance and a broad array of research opportunities. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.