Being an institute of higher learning, and the first international university in Thailand, Assumption University has a definite policy to provide quality instruction to the students, both undergraduates and graduates, and both Thai and foreign nationals. An equally important function of the University is to conduct research in all fields.

Assumption University is one of the leading universities in the field of science and technology. During the past year, several of our staff participated in various international meetings held in Thailand and abroad; many have also presented their papers at these meetings. The Management of Assumption University is proud of their performance and achievements.

In order to keep a record of their endeavors as well as to encourage other staff members to make similar contributions, all abstracts of scientific papers presented at the international scientific meetings during this one-year period from June 2001 to June 2002 have been compiled and published in a booklet form for distribution to interested individuals and institutions. The present publication is the fourth issue of the series of the AU Abstracts; the first one, 'AU Abstracts-1999' was published in September 1999, covering the presentation period from May 1998 to June 1999. The second one, 'AU Abstracts-2000' was published in July 2000, covering the presentation period from July 1999 to June 2000. The third one, 'AU Abstracts-2001' was published in July 2001, covering the presentation period from July 2000 to June 2001.

Due to the financial crisis which is still prevailing in Thailand as well as in Assumption University, many staff members from certain faculties, especially the Faculty of Biotechnology and the Faculty of Engineering, who could not find financial support for their travel, could not present their papers in the international meetings held abroad during the past academic year. There was no international meeting held in Thailand either. As a result, none of their papers is published in AU Abstracts-2002.

It is hoped that this small publication will be of some benefit to our readers and that it will serve the dual function of giving information as well as encouragement to all our staff. It is our determination to continue this particular series of publication every year.

On behalf of the University, I wish to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Narong Chomchalow, Editor of AU Journal of Technology, for his initiative, as well as the hard work involved in compiling, editing, and preparing the manuscripts of the AU Abstracts -2002. I also wish to thank Mr. Rob Dodson, Assistant Editor of AU Journal of Technology who assisted in editing the manuscripts of this booklet.

Dr. Prathip Martin Komolmas, FSG
President
Assumption University