This, the second special topical conference on the properties of Non-Metallic Materials at Low Temperatures, was sponsored by the International Cryogenic Materials Conference Board. The potential for plastics materials in the field of cryogenics is vast and as yet only partly explored. In addition, many other materials, which qualify for the title non-metallic but are not 'plastics', have numerous possible outlets in low temperature technology. This conference aimed at providing a forum, whereby specialists from Industry, the Universities and from Government sponsored Institutions could...

Compound superconductors with the Al5 structure carry the promise of the second generation in practical superconductivity. They will provide higher operating magnetic fields at higher tem- peratures than the preceding alloy superconductors. To fulfill this promise, their brittle nature must be accommodated in a fila- mentary structure. Achieving this has been no simple task and imaginative research and clever production techniques have led to many usable conductor configurations. In addition, several new and exciting possibilities are being proposed; for example, in situ processing promises...

This was the third meeting in the series of special topical conferences on Non-Metallic materials at low temperatures. The first meeting was in Munich in 1978, the second in Geneva (1980) and so Heidelberg 1984 seemed an obvious time to review some of the hopes and objectives of the earlier meetings. It is also appropriate to consider the changing needs of the cryogenic community and how best the theory and practice of Non-metallic materials can be applied to suit this dynamic young science. The aims and objectives of the International Cryogenic Materials Board in sponsoring this meeting...