The heh vior of matter anrl waves in a rlynamical setting nffer many challenging prohlems to the mathematician anrl the m terials scientist alike. Unrler review in this volume are a variety of nonlioear phenomena whose con sirleration entails new perspectives, oot commooly fouorl in the literatllre. Of particular note is the experimental aspect of many of the papers. In arlrlition, attention has been given ta the interaction of electromagnetic anrl mechanical pro perties of materials. Ouestions arise which cannat naw he answererl. Attempts are marle to rlescrihe anrl to unrlerstand phenomena...

The heh vior of matter anrl waves in a rlynamical setting nffer many challenging prohlems to the mathematician anrl the m terials scientist alike. Unrler review in this volume are a variety of nonlioear phenomena whose con- sirleration entails new perspectives, oot commooly fouorl in the literatllre. Of particular note is the experimental aspect of many of the papers. In arlrlition, attention has been given ta the interaction of electromagnetic anrl mechanical pro- perties of materials. Ouestions arise which cannat naw he answererl. Attempts are marle to rlescrihe anrl to unrlerstand...