**8. Porous ceramics using additive manufacturing techniques**

The manufacturing of complex porous ceramic parts with defined microstructure is a challenge today [18]. Concerning this issue, additive manufacturing technology is a promising alternative to conventional manufacturing procedures. Various additive manufacturing technologies like laminated object manufacturing (LOM), stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS) and three-dimensional printing (3D printing) have already been used to fabricate different porous ceramic shapes [19]. One of the fastest and most efficient technologies is 3D printing. The introduction of 3D printing technology into the porous ceramic industry provides greater speed and flexibility, eliminates tool constraints, needs only low cost investment, and enables the sustainability of the additive manufacturing process. The 3D printing can be used in the making of porous ceramics in a different of applications. For example, it is widely used for catalysis chemical reactors, biomedical applications and filtration technologies. It can also be used to produce porous ceramic membranes, energy storage and heat exchangers, because of the good thermal properties and relative strength of ceramic materials.
