Laurel M. Sheppard prepared this market report using 20+ years of editing and writing experience backed with a B.S. in ceramic engineering from Ohio State University. Professional recognition of her academic work includes the Karl Schwartzwalder Professional Achievement in Ceramic Engineering Award from the National Institute of Ceramic Engineers in 1991, and the W. E. Cramer Award from the American Ceramic Society Central Ohio section in 2000.

While holding editorial positions at professional publications such as Ceramic Industry, the American Ceramic Society Bulletin, and Advanced Materials and Processes, Sheppard has written hundreds of articles on ceramics manufacturing and technology -- achievements that have been recognized by the Society for Technical Communication, American Society of Business Press Editors, and Communications Concepts Inc.

An invited speaker at many national and international conferences, Sheppard served as co-editor of the Japan Fine Ceramics Center’s biannual workshop proceedings from 1992-2000. In recent years she has written market reports on materials technology covering advanced ceramics and glasses, sol gel processing, rapid prototyping, dielectrics, and powder metallurgy.