Several from Alfred University co-author letter in ACerS Bulletin Affirming the ‘Age of Glass’

The letter, titled “Affirmation of the Age of Glass,” appears in the current (December 2024) issue of the Bulletin. Its authors include Alfred University alumni Kathleen Richardson and John Mauro, and current or retired glass science faculty, William LaCourse, Doris Möncke, Collin Wilkinson, L. David Pye, S.K. Sundaram, Alastair Cormack, and Arun Varshneya.

“As a means of proclaiming epochal periods in the history of humankind, historians have classified eras from several perspectives, such as materials, human activity, and astrological theory. Respective examples are ‘The Iron Age,’ ‘The Age of Enlightenment,’ and the ‘Age of Aquarius,’” the letter’s introduction states. “During the last decade, there has been an emerging sense that we live in ‘The Age of Glass.’ Based on the discussion (in the letter) and our professional experiences—both individually and collectively—we wish to affirm this epic moment in the history of glass.”

Richardson is ’82, MS ’88, PhD ’92 is Pegasus Professor of Optics and Materials Science in CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida; Mauro ’01, PhD ’06 is professor of materials science at Penn State University and a co-inventor of Gorilla Glass, used in screens for electronics devices. Möncke is associate professor of glass science engineering, Wilkinson is assistant professor of glass science engineering, and Sundaram is Inamori Professor of Materials Science and Engineering in Alfred University’s Inamori School of Engineering. Pye ’59, PhD ’68, LaCourse, and Varshneya are emeriti professors of glass science engineering; and Cormack is emeritus professor of ceramic engineering.

The letter cites the United Nations’ declaration of 2022 as the International Year of Glass— it marked the first time the UN had bestowed the honor on a material—to illustrate the importance of glass to society. Alfred University glass science faculty and alumni were instrumental in the United Nation decision to declare 2022 the International Year of Glass and were at the forefront of organizing celebrations and events around it.

“For as long as humans have existed, glass has played an important role in enabling community and progressing society. Its future remains as bright as ever, arguably more so than in the past. We stand here, now, on the shoulders of giants, with a list of unanswered questions that will help define the role of glass in our future. Let’s get started!” the authors state.

The letter also notes that in 2019, the Glass and Optical Materials Division of ACerS established the L. David Pye Lifetime Achievement Award. Named in honor of L. David Pye, the award—this year renamed the L. David Pye Hall of Fame Award—is bestowed in recognition of lifetime dedication, vision, and accomplishments in advancing the fields of glass science, glass engineering, and glass art. LaCourse won the award in 2022.