This collection of proceedings from one of the most popular TMS symposia explores the current progress in the characterization of materials. Addressing technologies, applications, and innovative research, these papers cover definations of ferrous and nonferrous metals and alloys, minerals, advanced and soft materials, and inorganic materials. Extraction and environmental applications, as well as surface, joint, and processing of metals. This is a valuable reference for scientists and engineers working with materials in the minerals, metals, and materials industry.

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS)* at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dis semination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all concerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an international publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Corporation of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 39 (thesis year 1994) a total of 13,953 thesis titles from 21 Canadian and 159 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this impor tant annual reference work. While Volume 39 reports theses submitted in 1994, on occasion, certain uni versities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.