9810588 Storm In light of recent progress in the design and manipulation ceramic materials using processing-microstructure-property relations, the theme of the 1998 Gordon Research Conference on Solid State Studies in Ceramics is "Tailored Ceramics- Fundamental Challenges in Processing-Microstructure-Property Relations." The goals of the GRC in 1998 are two-fold. First, to explore the current status of processing-microstructureproperty relations as a means of determining what is missing. The problem is to explore at what level of interrogation do we understand processing, microstructure and properties. The second goal of the meeting is to explore basic science advances and needs over the full spectrum of technical ceramics like ferroelectrics and optical ceramics. Although properties are established by different physics, the underlying processing-microstructureproperty themes are similar. The overall goal is to explore these common themes, discover new opportunities, develop synergy and to cross-fertilize the fields. %%% The invited speakers at the 1998 Gordon Research Conference on Solid State Studies in Ceramics on "Tailored Ceramics- Fundamental Challenges in Processing- Microstructure- Property Relations" will be challenged to answer the question of what scientific questions are still outstanding in regards to tailoring ceramics. Time is allotted to fully explore the thoughts and visions of the speakers and the audience. In this manner the conferees will explore in depth the current status of the technical ceramics field which will allow us to project what type of research is needed to make significant progress in designing and producing tailored ceramics. ***
