9615538 LI The project consists on providing financial assistance for 12 leading American specialists in the mechanics and technology of brittle matrix composites (BMC) for their participation at the next International BMC 5 Symposium in Poland, October 13-15, 1997. The participation of a representative group of American specialists will considerably enhance the role of the Symposium BMC 5, and stimulate international cooperation. It will also benefit the American research community in keeping abreast of European research and development in ceramic and cementitious composites, and their manufacturing and industrial applications. We expect to hear some research reports coming from the European Community (EC) joint projects such as those supported under the BRITE and EUREKA programs.