9705736 Ngai Relaxation and diffusion in complex materials and systems play an important role in important problems of many branches of science, technology and engineering. In recent years, the study of relaxation and diffusion has grown and become interdisciplinary in nature with involvement from colleagues in condensed matter physics, chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science and engineering. Rapid developments across many areas in this vast field on an international level make it profitable to bring together researchers from around the world to discuss the recent advances, explore new ideas, promote collaborations and stimulate future research. The Conference at Vigo, Spain (June 30 - July 11, 1997) is organized to follow two very successful previous meetings. The meeting is supported by several agencies of Spain, by the Max Planck Institut fur Polymerforschung-Mainz and the Naval Research Laboratory. Application is made to NSF for a grant to support partially the travel expenses of American colleagues, particularly the young investigators. %%% The main objective of this International Meeting is to discuss the current important issues in the studies of relaxations in complex materials and systems. Scientists with backgrounds as varied as condensed matter physics, statistical mechanics, physical chemistry, materials science and engineering, glass science, polymer science and engineering, metallurgy, thermodynamics and rheology will have the opportunity to discuss critical issues which impede progress in this vast interdisciplinary research field. Following the tradition of the past two Meetings (Heraklion 1990, Alicante 1993), the conference will cover recent advances in relations in the following areas: a) Theories and models of relaxation b) Computer simulations c) Glass transition, relaxations in supercooled liquids, glasses, co lloids and melts d) Relaxations in polymers, physical aging, plastization and antiplastization e) Polymer dynamics on surface, at interface and in confined spaces f) Viscoelastic and rheological properties of polymers, solutions, ionomers, polyelectrolytes, copolymers and blends g) Polymer diffusion h) Solid State Ionics, conductivity and NMR relaxation, ionic diffusion i) Structural relaxations of electronic and optical materials, gels and ceramics j) Dielectric studies k) Optical and laser relaxation spectroscopy l) NMR, X-ray and neutron scattering ***
