Support is provided for a number of U.S. scientists to participate in the International Meetings of the Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards (VAMAS). VAMAS was initiated at the Economic Summit of Heads of State in 1982 in Versailles. At the meeting, VAMAS was one of eighteen technical activities established to provide the framework for the stimulation of the world economy. The main thrust of VAMAS is to establish a valid scientific basis for reliable and internationally acceptable measurement of the characteristics and performance of such material. Such activity is required because new materials typically respond to conventional characterization measurements in unanticipated ways. This response is traceable to the novel structures and resulting superior performance of these materials. The scientific basis for satisfactory prediction of the response of these materials frequently does not exist. Development of the scientific background necessary for such prediction is important to the development of materials science as well as to the incorporation of such materials in articles of international trade. Thus, the involvement of academic and industrial participants is increasingly important. In response to these general needs, VAMAS has established scientific and technical activity in the following areas: Wear, Surface Chemical Analysis, Ceramics, Polymer Blends, Polymer Composites, Superconducting and Cryogenic Structural Materials Databanks, Creep Crack Growth, Efficient Test Procedures for Polymer Properties, and Low Cycle Fatigue. Support for this international activity is jointly recommended by the Division of Materials Research and the Division of International Programs.
