For the area of ceramics the conference denoted above was the first truly international conference in almost ten years devoted to nonstoichiometry effects in ceramics. Nonstoichiometry controls electrical, diffusional, and many mechanical properties. Therefore, nonstoichiometry is a very important property. Perovskite­structured oxides are finding many modern applications as, for example, fuel cell electrodes and high­temperature superconductors. The ionic conductivity and superconducting transition temperatures, respectively, are very sensitive to the deviation from stoichiometry. The recent discovery of the giant magnetoresistance in perovskites opens up further device possibilities. Additionally, there is renewed interest in solid­oxide fuel cells for transportation applications. This has spurred renewed interest in electrode materials based on perovskite structures.

Intermetallics with nonstoichiometric compositions are finding much wider­spread applications as structural materials at elevated temperatures in hostile environments. There are many similarities between nonstoichiometric effects in intermetallics and ceramics and it will be the goal of this conference to bring scientists from both disciplines together to learn from each other, explore the common themes, to assess the state of the art, and to plan future developments.

Conference Outline
This conference will cover all aspects of nonstoichiometry in ceramics and intermetallics. Topics will include theory, electrical conductivity and thermopower, diffusion, and mechanical properties (including tensile, compressive, creep and fatigue properties) which depend on nonstoichiometry. Materials will include single and polycrystalline ceramics and intermetallics. The conference will last four and 1/2 days and each half­day session will consist of a keynote speaker, followed by shorter talks on current research topics germane to the keynote speech. The conference will consist of topical sessions on:

1. Bulk Defect Properties
2. Surface/Interface Defect Properties
3. Transport
4. Structural Studies
5. Environmental Effects on Mechanical Properties
6. Material Synthesis and Processing
7. Theory

Conference Organization
The Conference Chairs are:
Prof. Rüdiger Dieckmann Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, 228 Bard Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853­1501
T: 1-607­255­4315; F: 1-607-255-2365; E: dieck@ccmr.cornell.edu
Dr. C.T. Liu Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
P. O. Box 2008, #1 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6115
T: 1-865­574­4459; F: 1-865­574­7659; E: liuct@ornl.gov

The Organizing Committee consists of:
Dr. F. Appel GKSS Research Center, Institute for Materials Research, Geesthacht, Germany
Prof. A. Atkinson Department of Materials, Imperial College, London, UK
Prof. Y. Austin Chang University of Wisconsin - Madison, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Dr. S Deevi Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.
Prof. Robin Grimes Department of Materials, Imperial College, London, UK
Prof. Masahiro Koiwa Kyoto University, Department of Metal Science and Technology, Kyoto 606, Japan
Prof. J. Maier Max­Planck­Institut für Festkörperforschung, Stuttgart, Germany
Prof. Manfred Martin Elektrochemie, Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
Prof. Thomas O. Mason Northwestern University, Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering, Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.
Prof. Junichiro Mizusaki Research Institute for Scientific Measurements, Tohoku University,
Sendai, Japan
Prof. David Morris Department of Physical Metallurgy, CENIM, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
Dr. Jules Routbort Argonne National Laboratories, U.S.A
Prof. Norman Stoloff Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Materials Engineering Department, Troy, New York, U.S.A.
Prof. Masaharu Yamaguchi Kyoto University, Department of Metal Science and Technology, Kyoto 606-01, Japan
Prof. Han-Ill Yoo School of Materials Science & Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Poster Sessions
Poster Sessions will be a part of the conference program, as they offer a unique opportunity for focusing on specific topics of interest and expanding beyond the limitations of the oral presentations.

United Engineering Foundation (UEF) Conferences
The United Engineering Foundation sponsors this conference. The UEF Conferences Program was established in 1962 to provide an opportunity for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineering from many disciplines. The format of the conference provides morning and evening sessions in which major presentations are made. Available time is included during the afternoons for ad hoc meetings and informal discussions and is designed to enhance rapport among participants and promote dialogue on the developments of the meeting. We believe the UEF conferences have been instrumental in generating ideas and disseminating information to a greater extent than is possible through more conventional meetings. All participants are expected to contribute actively to the discussions.

Transportation to "Il Ciocco"
Transportation from the Pisa Airport to "Il Ciocco" is by the complimentary conference center bus or mini­coach, which will leave Pisa in the middle of the afternoon of Sunday, September 30. Please plan to be in Pisa by that time as there will be only one bus. There are daily direct flights to Pisa from London. Paris and Frankfurt. The railway station at Pisa is equally accessible as it is on the Tirrenia line where almost hourly Inter­City trains, among others, arrive from the South (Naples and Rome) and from northern Europe via Turin and Milan. There will also be a return bus to Pisa on Friday afternoon at 2:00, after the conference lunch/adjournment.

If you are coming by automobile, take Motorway A­11 until the exit for Lucca. The distance from Lucca to "Il Ciocco" is approximately 40 km on a scenic mountain road.

Conference Excursions
Due to the unique location of the conference, an optional excursion to the walled city of Lucca will be offered. There will be sign­up at the hotel registration for those who are interested in participating. The excursion fees will cover rental of the bus. Any entrance fees will be extra. A boxed lunch will be provided. Accompanying persons will be offered an additional (optional) day-long excursion. See List of Excursions (an adobe pdf file).

Early bird special for those who register before August 31, 2001. These conference fees are:
-Participant (sharing a room with another participant) $ 1105.00
-Participant (single room or sharing with guest) $ 1205.00
-Bona fide Graduate Students $ 760.00
-Guest $ 390.00

For those who register after August 31, 2001. These conference fees are:
-Participant (sharing a room with another participant) $ 1205.00
-Participant (single room or sharing with guest) $ 1305.00
-Bona fide Graduate Students $ 860.00
-Guest $ 390.00

Please send us your registration form as soon as possible.

All participants are required to complete and return the enclosed registration form and payment information form (an Adobe pdf file) by September 7, 2001. There is a discounted price for registering before this date and, in addition, we cannot guarantee hotel space for any registrations received after this date.

All conference payments must be received by September 21, 2001. We can only guarantee you a room at the hotel if payment for the conference has been received by this date. ROOM RESERVATIONS WILL NOT BE MADE WITHOUT PREPAYMENT, PURCHASE ORDER, OR SIGNED ORGANIZATIONAL PLEDGE OF PAYMENT.

Because of guarantees made with the hotel for room and meal functions, no shows, late arrivals, missed meals and early departures cannot receive fee adjustments.

The Foundation will reserve your accomodations for the conference period. If you wish to guarantee pre or post conference accomodations see attached
Pre and Post Conference Reservation Request Form (An Adobe pdf file).

Payment must be made by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars, payable to the UNITED ENGINEERING FOUNDATION. Checks or money orders in any other currencies are NOT ACCEPTABLE. Payment is to be sent to:

WIRE TRANSFER PAYMENT INFORMATION:

Account Name: Bank: ABA: BIC: Account Number:

United Engineering Foundation Chase Manhattan Bank Midtown East Region 111 West 40th Street, 10th Floor New York, NY 10018 021-0000-21 CHASUS33 014-1-141929

Important: To help UEF track the receipt of your wire transfer internally and credit your payment, we ask you to send a brief message (email, fax or with registration card/payment information form) with the following information:
  1. your name and organization
  2. date the payment was made
  3. name of bank from which you made the wire transfer payment
  4. wire transfer reference number
  5. total payment amount
  6. specific reference about the payment (i.e. invoice number, conference title)
OR fax a copy of your actual wire transfer to our office.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation must be received in writing at least two weeks prior to the start of the conference in order for a full refund to be issued. Cancellations received thereafter are subject to a $200 cancellation fee and any direct expenses incurred by the Foundation. A transfer of registration may be made at any time.

If you have a disability and may require accommodation in order to participate fully in this conference, please make a note on the registration card. A Foundation representative will contact you to discuss your specific needs.

If you have special dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian or a food allergy), please make a note on your registration card. The chef needs to know this information in advance if we are to accommodate you.

Should you have specific questions regarding your registration, please contact Donna Milone at the United Engineering Foundation at 1-212-591-7836. You may also send your questions by fax (1-212-591-7441) or e-mail (engfnd@aol.com).

Information on United Engineering Foundation Conferences can be found on the UEF web site: http://www.engfnd.org