This issue of the Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings is one of nine issues published based on content presented in January 2012, during the 36th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC). It features papers from two popular symposia held during the ICACC meeting: Next-Generation Bioceramics explores new research into ceramic materials designed to support and enhance the treatment of dental and medical disorders; Porous Ceramics: Novel Developments and Applications examines some of the latest advances and innovations in processing methods and synthesis, and much more. Charts, tables, and illustrations are included throughout this issue.

Roger Narayan is Associate Professor at the Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering of North Carolina State University. Earlier assignments have taken him e.g. to Oak Ridge National Lab. His research centers on biomedical engineering including biomaterials and nanoscale systems, intelligent systems, biomedical sensors, as well as nanoelectronics and photonics. He also has publishing experience with Journal boards.

Paolo C. Colombo is a cardiologist who specialized in treating patients with heart failure, cardiac assist device and heart transplant. Dr. Colombo is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology.