Over the past 15 years, considerable effort has been devoted to understanding the fundamental behaviour of materials assembled of fine particles and clusters. The driving force for this research has been the potential to obtain unique physical, mechanical, electrical and tribological properties. This proceedings volume explores current methods for synthesizing nanocrystalline powder and recent research findings relative to consolidation of nanocrystalline powder with retention of fine structure. The 28 papers are drawn from the 1996 TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition in Anaheim, California, USA, February 4-8, 1996.