9725614 Storm The theme of the 1997 Gordon Research Conference for Solid State Studies in Ceramics, to be held August 3-8, 1997, at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire is New Perspectives in Interface Science: From Fundamentals to Practice. The promise of microstructural engineering of ceramics relies in large part on the ability to manipulate interface structure and chemistry. Powder processing techniques for producing high density ceramics rely on our ability to control short and long range forces at surfaces and internal interfaces in a reproducible way. Silicon nitride and some electronic ceramics, such as lead ruthanate, have unique properties as a result of short range surface forces that create stable intergranular layers on the order of one nanometer thick. New measurement tools and new advances in theory have enabled us to take a fresh look at our understanding of the structure, chemistry, and properties of interfaces. The aims of this Gordon Research Conference are to examine new interface phenomena from fundamental scientific and engineering points of view, to take a critical look at interface science as it applies to ceramic interfaces, and to learn how to exploit these phenomena in materials and interface design. The conference format, in keeping with all Gordon Research Conferences, consists of formal presentations by invited speakers with roughly half of each session devoted to in depth discussion. In addition, a poster session will be held which enables conference participants, especially graduate students, to present their current research ideas in areas relevant to the conference theme. %%% The theme of the 1997 Gordon Research Conference for Solid State studies in Ceramics, to be held August 3-8, 1997, at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire is New Perspectives in Interface Science: From Fundamentals to Practice. The promise of microstructural engineering of ceramics relies in large part on the ability to manipu late interface structure and chemistry. Powder processing techniques for producing high density ceramics rely on our ability to control short and long range forces at surfaces and internal interfaces in a reproducible way. Silicon nitride and some electronic ceramics, such as lead ruthanate, have unique properties as a result of short range surface forces that create stable intergranular layers on the order of one nanometer thick. New measurement tools and new advances in theory have enabled us to take a fresh look at our understanding of the structure, chemistry, and properties of interfaces. The aims of this Gordon Research Conference are to examine new interface phenomena from fundamental scientific and engineering points of view, to take a critical look at interface science as it applies to ceramic interfaces, and to learn how to exploit these phenomena in materials and interface design. The conference format, in keeping with all Gordon Research Conferences, consists of formal presentations by invited speakers with roughly half of each session devoted to in depth discussion. In addition, a poster session will be held which enables conference participants, especially graduate students, to present their current research ideas in areas relevant to the conference theme. ***
