Theseare important uses, but there are an enormous number of other uses that make ceramics such andimportant part of our lives that we cannot do without them. The objective of The Magic ofCeramics exhibit is to introduce the general public, and especially school students, to some ofthese important and often fascinating uses of ceramics. The display includes more than 200ceramic items that show how ceramics are used in fiberoptic communications, in reducingpollution and conserving energy, in making the silicon chip and miniature computers possible, inour automobiles, in medical technology, and even in sports. In line with the goal of educationaloutreach, the display is supplemented by guided tours, open houses and lectures, video tapes, anddemonstrations of ceramic superconductors levitating a magnet, of the ultra high temperatureresistance of ceramics, of ceramic magnets, and of other examples of magical behavior. One of the mostamazing uses is the treatment of liver cancer.
Liver cancer is usually fatal within six months.
Anew treatment injects tiny radioactive glass beads about one third the thickness of a hair into theartery leading directly to the lever. The tumor in the liver traps the glass beads, delivering ahighly concentrated dose of radiation directly to the tumor, but not damaging surrounding tissue. In clinical studies, patients have now lived for six years after a single treatment. You wouldn't have an of the windows, mirrors,spark plugs, or lights. The electronics that control every function of your car's operation, theoxygen sensor and the catalytic converter all would disappear.