The twu-day sympusium held un the campus uf Augustana Cullege, Ruck Island, Illinuis, April 5 and 6, 1967, explured the interrelatiunship between the life sciences and engineering and attempted tu make the scientific cummunity mure aware uf an interdisciplinary appruach tu engineering. The sympusium suught tu stimulate new mechanical engineering cuncepts perhaps nut pussible utilizing data available unly thruugh ideas derived frum the traditiunal physical sciences. Devuted tu clused luup biomechanical systems in which biulugical furces and feedback influence mechanical, physical, and chemical systems, this first Ruck Island Arsenal Biumechanics Sympusium was cuspunsured by Ruck Island Arsenal, u. S. Army Weapuns Cummand, U. S. Army Research Office Durham, and Augustana Cullege. It strived fur academic excellance, and the spunsurs are indebted tu the Advisury Cummittee in pruviding the guidance and participatiun required tu achieve this ubjective as reflected in these pruceedings. Persunal thanks are extended tu Drs. Russ C. Bean, Geurge Bugliarellu, Rubert G. Gesteland, Warren S. MCCulluugh, Lawrence M. Patrick, Ali Seirig, and Heinz Vun Fuerster. The planning cummittee, which included Pruf. Juhn E. Ekblad, Edwin M. Vaughan, Alan G. Galbavy, and the editurs, are also. tu be cummended fur their ef- furts in arranging this successful sympusium.