A team of Penn State researchers has shown for the first time that the entire class of "non-magnetic" materials, such as those used in some computer components, could have considerably more uses than scientists had thought. The findings are important because they reveal previously unknown information about the structure of these materials, expanding the number of properties that they potentially could have. A material's properties, such as electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, are what determine its usefulness.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES Solicitation  10-568

MRSEC programs provide transformative opportunities for  students and faculty at minority-serving institutions to participate in leading-edge materials science and engineering  research. But in order to encourage more underrepresented  minority researchers to take advantage of these opportunities, we need to cultivate personal connections with those at

Princeton University professor F. Duncan Haldane has been awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics "for theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter." He shares the prize with David Thouless of the University of Washington and J. Michael Kosterlitz of Brown University. Haldane is the Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics and an IRG-1 senior investigator at the Princeton Center for Complex Materials.

REINVENTING PHOTOVOLTAICS

At the recent American Physics Society meeting, MRSEC center directors and other representatives discussed new and improved opportunities in the field. The March meeting, which was held in New Orleans, brought together thousands of experienced and aspiring scientists looking to learn about the latest scientific research from industry and universities. Meeting highlights included a plenary on science policy in the 21st century, discussions on polymer opportunities across NSF, and poster sessions highlighting ongoing research.

Some cotton candy machines can do more than simply satisfy a sweet tooth. Researchers at Harvard and Vanderbilt University have discovered a way for the machines to spin new fibers that could potentially contribute to life-saving technologies such as regrowing human tissue or inventing lighter bullet proof vests. Learn more about this revolutionary NSF-funded research.   

The Division of Materials Research has a new newsletter, which highlights the department's ongoing events, activities, and research. Hear from DMR Director Linda Sapochak on the department's mission, read about the National Strategic Computing Initiative, get the latest on DMR's partnership building opportunities, and more. Check out the inaugural issue.   

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of DMR’s newest MRSECs. This NSF-funded $15.5 million research center is designed to bring eight departments together to study innovative materials.

Recently researchers met to inform NSF research centers about this effort and large-scale vision for broadening the participation of underrepresented groups in STEM fields, and invite and encourage them to get involved.