This collection focuses on the characterization of minerals, metals, and materials as well as the application of characterization results on the processing of these materials. Focused sessions within the symposia include those centered on ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, soft materials, ceramics, clays, composites, and minerals. In addition, sessions will focus exclusively on characterization concerns in the extraction, processing, and environmental application of materials. Finally, method development in characterization will be explored.