The most recent advancements in the areas of ceramic/composite processing and characterization are presented in this new volume. Selected topics include sol-gel processing, microwave sintering, reaction forming/bonding, polymer precursors, rapid prototyping, mechanical alloying, diamond and diamond-like structures, and functionally graded materials. Proceedings of the symposium held at the 103rd Annual Meeting of The American Ceramic Society, April 22-25, 2001, in Indiana; Ceramic Transactions, Volume 129.