9600323 Oyama This proposal supports the collaboration of Dr. Ted Oyama of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and Dr. Yasuhiro Iwasawa of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Tokyo. Project funding will enable Dr. Oyama to spend one year in Japan, resident at the University of Tokyo, in order to study the structure and adsorption properties of single crystal molybdenum carbide. Dr. Oyama has previously studied the catalytic properties of molybdenum carbide in the form of supported and unsupported powders. The collaboration with Prof. Iwasawa will allow fundamental studies of the system using advanced physico-chemical tools available in Prof. Iwasawa's laboratory. These include ultra-high vacuum spectroscopies and scanning tunneling microscopy. This proposal brings toeether research scientists from two countries working in the area of new materials and catalysis. The U. S. scientist will have the opportunity to become familiar with research techniques, equipment, and facilities at the University of Tokyo while carrying out the research mission. This proposal thus fulfills the objectives of the Program in its exchange and transfer of scientific knowledge through an international collaboration. ***