When you hear the word “ceramics,” you may think of the mug you made in pottery class or the vases collecting dust on your grandmother’s shelf. While these objects are made up of ceramics, they’re only one small part of the bigger picture. Ceramics are being used in armor, lasers, electronics, teeth replacement, and more. They ensure that your computer’s motherboard runs smoothly. They protect space shuttles when most other materials would burn up in the atmosphere. In other words, ceramics are everywhere, and they’re essential.