According to “Global High-Purity Alumina Market 2014-2018,” a recent report available from Research and Markets, vendors need to increase investments in R&D to streamline manufacturing procedures, develop sustainable energy resources, and improve methods of extracting or recycling non-ferrous metals.

Listed here are the year's 20 most-viewed articles.

Nature builds flawless diamonds, sapphires and other gems. Now a Northwestern University research team is reportedly the first to build near-perfect single crystals out of nanoparticles and DNA, using the same structure favored by nature.

This weekly roundup highlights the news stories that garnered the most attention during the previous week.

Last week, readers continued to be interested in GT Advanced Technologies’ sapphire agreement with Apple.

Financial news from Mohawk, which is the parent company of Dal-Tile and Marazzi, drew a lot of interest last week.

 Sapphire, the single crystal form of alumina (Al₂O₃), was first synthesized more than a century ago, but the most exciting advances associated with this versatile material are taking place today.