The 1988 Spring Meeting of the Materials Research Society will be held at Bally's in Reno, Nevada, with events spanning April 4-10. Program Chairs David Clark, Clif Draper, and Chain T. Liu have planned the most diversified topical symposia coverage to date. In addition to a thorough examination of the popular and “hot news” areas, the meeting will also offer a selection of intriguing specialty topics never before offered at an MRS meeting. This year's Spring meeting will feature 16 topical symposia, a program of 23 short courses, and an equipment show. Highlights of the symposia are described below. The names of the short courses and equipment exhibitors are listed elsewhere in this issue. For details see the 1988 MRS Spring Meeting Preliminary Program mailed to all MRS members.

During the Plenary and Student Awards session, Raymond D. Tuminaro of AT&T Bell Laboratories will present the Plenary Address on “Materials Aspects of the SL Undersea Optical Cable Design.” Tuminaro will focus on the fiber and cable materials, review their vulnerabilities to degradation mechanisms, and explore methods currently being used to assure acceptable performance levels for the projected 25-year service life of these systems.

A special feature is being planned for the 1988 MRS Spring Meeting. A major photomicrography exhibition—Microscapes: The Hidden Art of High Technology—will focus on the seldom-seen world of advanced developments in microelectronics and lightwave communications.