| Abstract Scope |
This presentation reviews the historical evolution, current state, and future directions of sintering science, emphasizing its foundational role in fabricating high-performance materials for energy, electronics, biomedical, and extreme-environment applications. The focus is on the thermodynamics and kinetics of solid-state and liquid-phase sintering, with special attention to grain boundary behavior and microstructural evolution in crystalline systems. Central to this work is the continuum theory of sintering developed by the author, which has served as the backbone for multiple extensions, including multi-scale and field-assisted process models. Applications of this theory are highlighted in technologies such as Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), where it supports predictive modeling of densification and microstructure. The presentation also introduces novel sintering paradigms, including Additive Manufacturing-assisted SPS, Pressureless Ultra-Fast Sintering (PLUFS), and Electro-Nano-Pulsing (ENP). These innovations enable unprecedented control over material structure and properties, marking a transformative shift toward advanced, scalable manufacturing of engineered materials. |