The connection between UA and the OARnet POP to the vBNS backbone will expand the utilization of scarce resources and research on the structure of materials, MPEG2 distance learning technology, cryptography, visualized patient records, and dynamic properties of polymers on a global/national basis.  One of UA's visions is to encourage collaborations across the national research infrastructure. Several of our faculty members have ongoing collaborations with faculty at nationally distributed institutions.  UA's high-sensitivity, high temperature superconducting NMR probe is unique, and its real time research into molecular structures will be made available to others on the vBNS backbone.  UA's innovative MPEG2 broadcast quality distance learning facilities will also be made available on the network and can be the prototype for future projects and collaborative instruction for vBNS sites.