From: Brian Evans and Ernie Rutter, co-chairs

Subject: Gordon Research Conference on Grain Boundaries,
        Interphase Boundaries, and Surfaces in Rocks
        New London, New Hampshire, 8-13 August 1999

Dear Colleagues:

A cutting edge is, by definition, the junction of two interfaces. And,
interfaces, in general, are regions of transition, turbulence, and
mixing. They are sources and sinks for defects, nucleation sites for
phase transitions, initial flaws that generate (or suppress) fracture,
and surfaces where frictional sliding occurs. They are the sites of
reactions, fast diffusion pathways, and regions whose properties vary
quite substantially from the bulk material on either side. In both
figurative and scientific terms, they are where the action is. During
the last 20 years, a remarkable flowering of knowledge about
interfaces and surfaces in metals, ceramics, and minerals has
occurred. New techniques including electron microscopy, Auger
microscopy, and atomic force microscopes allow observation of surfaces
and grain boundaries at the atomic scale. Ab initio calculations of
interface regions can now be done using realistic potential energy
descriptions.  As these techniques and descriptions have been applied
to mineral interfaces, it has become clear that interfacial properties
and mechanisms are critical for understanding geodynamic processes,
petrologic reactions, transport properties, and resource recovery.
Thus, it is a pleasure to write to tell you about the 1999 Gordon
Conference on Rock Deformation to be held in New London, NH on 8-13
August. 

As you may know, Gordon Conferences are unique in providing structured
and unstructured time for discussions amongst the participants. The
invited presentations, given by experts in the field,  give current
overviews of the state of the science and projections into the future
of research. Discussions during the sessions can be far-ranging and
allow the participants to debate and discuss the cutting edge of
research in this area. Afternoons are intentionally reserved for
informal discussions. Two poster sessions are designed to allow
focussed presentations of detailed research results of all the
participants. 

We have included the schedule for the conference below, and I hope you
agree with us that the quality of the speakers is truly outstanding. 
Applications to the conference are handled by the Gordon Research
Committee. Admission to the conference is "first come, first serve" 
but there is a limit of 130 participants. Thus, it is important for
you to fill out the application at your earliest convenience.
Encourage others who might be interested to apply early too.
Participants who do so receive a discounted rate. You may apply by
email by visiting the application part of the main Gordon Conference
Site at http://www.grc.uri.edu/apply.htm We have established a web
page for our conference at http://web.mit.edu/mok/www/Gordon . If you
would like more information, drop by. We welcome your comments on the
web page; send them to the web master, Uli Mok, at [log in to unmask] You
are encouraged to establish links to this web page from other sites.
If you have questions please feel free to email to [log in to unmask] or
to [log in to unmask]

We hope to see you in New Hampshire this August for this exciting
conference.

Sincerely
Brian Evans
Ernie Rutter


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Grain Boundaries, Interphase Boundaries, and Surfaces in Rocks

8 Aug Sun       
Evening Grain Boundaries, Interfaces, and Surfaces
        The Structure of Grain Boundaries and Surfaces in Minerals
        (Kohlstedt) The Importance of Grain Boundary and Surface
        Processes in Geophysics
(Duba)

9 Aug Mon        
Morning Interface Structure: Observations and Calculations 
        Atomic Force Microscopy Observations of Mineral Surfaces
        (Dove) TEM Observations of Grain Boundaries (Fitz-Gerald)
        Point Defects and Diffusion in Silicates: Simulations  and
        Experiments
(Freer)
Evening The Effects of Surface Properties on Friction and Fracture
        Fluids, Fractures,  and Surface Energy (Lockner)
        Surface Adhesion, Asperities, and Friction (T. Tullis)

10 Aug Tues     
Morning Interactions between Fluids and Mineral Surfaces and
Interfaces 
        Nucleation and growth kinetics of secondary phases on mineral
        surfaces
(Nagy)
        Fluid-rock Interaction, Weathering, Roughness and Fluid
        Permeability The Water/silicate Interface and its Effect on
        the Transport Properties
of Rocks (Pride)
        Production of Fluid Seals, CO2 Sequestration and Resource
        Recovery
Evening Posters: Fracture, Friction, Transport Properties, and
Resource Recovery
                Summary by Session Chair

11 Aug Wed.     
Morning Grain Boundary Diffusion and Migration:
        Mechanisms and Kinetics of Grain Boundary Diffusion (Farver)
        Migrating grain and phase boundaries (Means) Grain Size
        Reduction by Dynamic Recrystallization  (de Bresser)
Evening Posters: Diffusion, Recrystallization, Creep and Magmatic
Processes
        Summary by Session Chair (Dresen)

12 Aug Thur     
Morning Interactions Of Grain Boundaries And High-Temperature Fluids 
        Grain Boundary Structure during Pressure Solution and
Capillarity-driven Neck Growth (Hickman)
        Diffusion Deformation in Partially Molten Rocks (Dimanov) Melt
        migration and Deformation (Cooper)
Evening Phase Transformations and Melting: Mechanisms and Kinetics
(Watson)


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