From the early '80s the motorcycle industry has been telling us that the future of the internal combustion engine lay in ceramics rather than metal, and that the result of the switch would be a revolution in massive power-to-weight ratios, frugal economy and ultra-clean emissions.

Time has past and we're still waiting for ceramic engines. On the face of it, once you'd come to terms with the idea of your engine being made from the stuff of chinaware, the idea seemed to be genius. Ceramics are far lighter than even aluminum, can be made with endless different properties, including immense strength, the ability to withstand – and insulate – incredible temperatures, and be close to frictionless without the need for messy oil-based lubrication.