Dolomite - a carbonate mineral and rock type
- Origin & Formation
- Geological processes (dolomitization, precipitation, secondary alteration).
- Global distribution and major deposits.
- Historical Background
- First descriptions (Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu, 1791).
- Early misunderstandings about its chemistry.
- Role in geological debates.
- Uses
- Construction (cement, aggregates).
- Industrial (glass, steel, refractories).
- Environmental (water treatment, soil neutralization).
- Decorative stone and sculpture.
- Modern research (CO₂ storage, nanomaterials).
Ceramics - materials made by shaping and firing inorganic, non-metallic substances
- Origin & Background
- Prehistoric ceramics (earliest pottery, ~29,000 BCE).
- Development in Mesopotamia, China, and the Americas.
- Transition from functional vessels to decorative and ritual items.
- Historical Development
- Ancient technologies (kilns, glazing).
- Porcelain in China (Tang, Ming dynasties).
- Transfer of knowledge along the Silk Road.
- Industrial Revolution and modern ceramics.
- Uses
- Traditional uses (pottery, tiles, art).
- Industrial uses (electrical insulators, cutting tools).
- Advanced ceramics (bioceramics, aerospace, electronics).
- Cultural symbolism (ceramic art as heritage).
Connections Between Dolomite and Ceramics
- Dolomite as a raw material in ceramic glazes and refractory products.
- Comparative look at their roles in human civilization.
- Sustainability and modern innovations.