These ceramics provide superior dielectric strength, thermal stability, hardness, and insulating capabilities as compared to nonceramic materials. The company says its new product development is being driven by an aging population that nonetheless demands an active lifestyle.D-M-E Co. announced new elastomer processing equipment for the device industry. Demand for elastomer-based products is expected to rise 6% annually through 2011, but many device companies don't have the proper equipment to run them, the firm says. So D-M-E has brought its LSR Cold Runner System to the United States. It is designed for molding elastomers such as liquid silicone rubber and high-temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber. The system makes elastomers by injecting the material at lower temperatures and curing them by heating the mold.These and other new introductions show just how much materials suppliers can contribute to a device company's reaching its potential.-- Julia Ford-Carther