The Brandeis Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) seeks to create new materials that are constructed from only a few simplified components, yet capture the remarkable functionalities found in living organisms.

The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of Maryland addresses fundamental problems connected with the dynamics of ferroelectrics and of surface nanostructures, and with the properties of highly spin polarized magnetic oxides. The MRSEC supports an effective pre-college education outreach effort that includes summer science programs for middle school girls and hands-on math and science student programs. The Center has intensive activities for knowledge transfer to a large number of industrial and federal laboratories. The MRSEC also supports promising new projects through seed funding, and develops and maintains shared experimental facilities.

Research in the proposed Center is organized into three Interdisciplinary research Groups (IRG). IRG 1, Polarization Dynamics in Ferroelectric Thin Films, addresses key materials issues that will allow to control and optimize the time-dependent behavior of thin film ferroelectrics, and that currently limit their applicability to computer memories, sensors and actuators. IRG 2, Surface Nanostructures: From Fluctuations to Driven Systems, builds upon powerful experimental and theoretical tools developed by this group of investigators to predict the surface structural evolution of films under various processing conditions, including chemical vapor deposition growth and electromigration. IRG 3, Metal Oxides with High Spin Polarization, focuses on issues limiting development of metallic oxides with high spin polarization that can be utilized in magnetic devices, including 'spintronics' and magnetic sensors.

The Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP) discovers and develops novel atomically engineered materials and processes across a wide spectrum such as amorphous metals or artificially structured crystalline oxide interfaces. This research also serves as an effective vehicle for student recruitment, retention, and education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). CRISP includes two interdisciplinary research groups (IRGs): 1) the Atomic Scale Design, Control and Characterization of Oxide Structures IRG focuses on understanding and engineering the novel chemical, electronic, and magneto-electric phenomena that arise at atomically abrupt complex oxide interfaces; and 2) the Multi-Scale Surface Engineering with Metallic Glasses IRG addresses the grand challenge of how to control surface properties through topographical structuring at multiple length scales (examples include tailoring biocompatibility, reactivity, friction, adhesion, and wetting to efficiently functionalize surfaces for a wide range of new applications and devices). Each IRG relies on (i) unique, world-class expertise at Yale, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), and industrial, national laboratory, and international partners; (ii) demonstrated, seamless multi-disciplinary collaborations; and (iii) extensive shared facilities to address grand challenges in materials research through multi-faceted efforts that include physical and biological sciences, engineering, and interplay between state-of-the-art theory and experiment. The research is closely integrated with education and outreach (EO) efforts through partnerships among a major research university (Yale), the largest educator of teachers in the state (SCSU), and the economically distressed, under-represented minority (URM)-dominated New Haven Public School System (NHPS). These partnerships provide model programs for recruitment, retention, and broadened participation in STEM careers that may be replicated nationwide. Further, CRISP faculty members are committed to enhancing cultural, gender, ethnic and racial diversity among STEM students and faculty, and more broadly among science students, teachers, and researchers nationally.

For education and Human Resource Development, CRISP uses the interdisciplinary, innovative aspects of its research to enhance STEM recruitment, retention, education, and to broaden participation by under-represented groups. The focus is on two successful signature initiatives that are evolving based on continued quantitative outcome assessments. The Materials Research Center Initiative for STEM Education (MISE) enhances STEM recruitment and retention through professional development of teachers that enhances their teaching abilities. This efficiently impacts the largest number of students, resulting in a substantial multiplying effect. The Materials Research Center Initiative for Multidisciplinary Education and Research (MIMER) provides interdisciplinary team-based research and education opportunities to the entire spectrum of STEM professionals and students. Teams work on integrated IRG research projects that form bridges to multidisciplinary courses and training projects. The integration of these EO efforts with graduate research uniquely prepares CRISP participants to succeed in, and ultimately lead, multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural efforts that are increasingly important to solve complex, large- scale problems. CRISP also prepares postdoctoral researchers for independent research careers by giving them latitude in defining research thrusts while providing them professional development training ranging from proposal writing to research management.

CRISP partnerships with national laboratories, industry, educational institutions, and state and local government agencies help CRISP realize its research and human resource development visions while broadening its impact. Key in-depth collaborations continue to be developed with Brookhaven and Argonne National Laboratories (BNL and ANL) that enable joint development of new characterization methods. Industrial partners, such as IBM or the PX Group, provide CRISP with a pathway towards commercialization of basic research findings. CRISP’s interactions with international universities are highlighted by Joint Research Centers with Peking University on Microelectronics and Nanotechnology and with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology on Advanced Atomic Force Microscopy Methods. Both endeavors involve joint projects and faculty and student exchanges, providing CRISP access to unique facilities at the partner institutions. CRISP’s partnership with the New Haven Public School System provides detailed teacher evaluation data for a predominantly minority- serving school system that enables CRISP to direct its professional development (PD) towards teachers with the greatest needs, providing them with individualized PD plans. CRISP also works with the Connecticut Office of Workforce Competitiveness to develop new EO programs that span K-12, community colleges, and PD.

The MIT Center for Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE) is devoted to the design, creation, and fundamental understanding of materials that are capable of enhancing the human experience. CMSE has a special mission: to foster collaborative, interdisciplinary research and education in the science and engineering of materials that will address the future needs of society. CMSE promotes collaboration among MIT faculty and between MIT faculty and researchers of other universities, industry, and government laboratories.

The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of Southern Mississippi supports an interdisciplinary research program in the area of polymer coatings and films. The Center also supports a wide range of educational activities, including the establishment of advanced degrees in polymer education and a new course leading to an advanced degree in Distance Leaming. The Center is entitled the Response-Driven Polymeric Films Center. The Center supports well maintained and accessible shared experimental facilities and interacts with industry and other sectors at local, regional, national and international levels.

The Center's research is organized into two interdisciplinary research groups (IRGS).
IRG 1, Design and Synthesis ofresponse -Driven Poymers, focuses on the the design and synthesis of molecular processes in biomaterials, liquid crystals, and environmentally fismart" molecules. IRG 2, Response-Driven Film Formation, conducts molecular level investigations of films and coatings that exhibit response-driven properties. Potential application of the Center's research are in diveres areas such as water treatment, controlled drug release, and formulation of water-based coatings.. In addition, seed support is provided for emerging research opportunities which are within the general scope of the Center.

The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) on Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces at the University of Wisconsin, Madison supports research in three interdisciplinary groups focusing on film growth by chemical vapor deposition, grain boundaries and current percolation in high-temperature superconductors, and nanostructured magnetic oxides. The first group investigates the fundamental mechanisms underlying film growth by chemical vapor deposition, with a focus on the growth of Si and Ge and their alloys. The second group focuses on the role that grain boundaries and the electronic structure play in determining the critical current density of polycrystalline high temperature superconductors. The third group addresses the fabrication, characterization, and understanding of the properties of perovskite-like magnetic oxides with potential device applications. The MRSEC supports shared experimental facilities for materials research, exploratory research through seed funding, and collaborations with industry and with other universities. Educational outreach programs include development of instructional materials for high school science teachers and outreach visits to local schools. The Center supports 15 senior investigators, 8 postdoctoral research associates, 16 graduate students, 7 technicians or other professionals, and 10 undergraduates. The MRSEC is directed by Professor T. F. Kuech. %%% The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) on Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces at the University of Wisconsin, Madison supports research in three interdisciplinary groups. The first group investigates the fundamental mechanisms underlying the growth of semiconductor films with focus on the growth of the technologically important materials silicon and germanium and their alloys. The second group focuses on the role structural defects play in determining the critical current density of polycrystalline high-temp erature superconductors. The third group addresses the fabrication, characterization, and understanding of the properties of magnetic oxides with potential device applications. The MRSEC supports shared experimental facilities for materials research, exploratory research through seed funding, and collaborations with industry and with other universities. Educational outreach programs include development of instructional materials for high school science teachers and outreach visits to local schools. The Center supports 15 senior investigators, 8 postdoctoral research associates, 16 graduate students, 7 technicians or other professionals, and 10 undergraduates. The MRSEC is directed by Professor T. F. Kuech.

Develop the science and technology of graphene and other electronic materials to permit fabrication of devices and circuits for post-CMOS low power electronics.  Integrate the science/technology developed with educational programs, student/teacher training, and industrial needs to ensure availability of the necessary workforce and tech transfer capabilities for future electonic materials and processing.   Enhance the diversity of students and faculty involved in the development and fabrication of future electronic materials, devices, and circuits.

The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technolgy supports interactive research in five interdisciplinary groups spanning a wide area of materials research.. The group investigating microphotonic materials and structures aims to explore the fundamental nature, synthesis and properties of photonic bandgap materials, and to exploit these properties for the design and fabrication of novel structures and devices for the creation and control of electromagnetic radiation. The molecular and supermolecular engineering group is developing the chemistry and molecular level processing needed to control and manipulate the organization of macromolecular systems with novel electronic and optical properties. The group investigating phase behavior in the presence of quenched randomness is carrying out experimental and theoretical studies of phase changes in disordered systems. Such changes may underlie fundamental mechanisms in the life sciences, and may have application in the information sciences. The group studying the structure, chemistry and transport properties of intercrystalline interfaces seeks a unified and comprehensive understanding of the role of atomic-level structure, chemistry, and local electronic structure in determining the physical properties of interfaces between crystals. The fifth group is investigating the properties of transition metal oxides in order to guide the development of a theory of correlated systems and ultimately explain the mechanism of high temperature superconductivity. The MRSEC supports the development, operation and maintenance of shared experimental facilities for materials research. It provides seed funding for exploratory research, and fosters research participation by undergraduates. The center is associated with an educational outreach program with emphasis on attracting and retaining women and underrepresented minorities in materials science. It also supports a science and engineering day camp which is directed toward seventh and eighth grade students from underrepresented minorities. The center administers an industrial outreach program The center currently supports 37 senior investigators, 13 postdoctoral research associates, 10 technicians, 39 graduate students, and 13 undergraduates who perform research as summer interns. The MRSEC is directed by Professor Marc A. Kastner.

The Center investigates the mechanics in thin films and bulk materials through a combination of experimental and computer modeling techniques. The Center has a broad spectrum of educational and outreach programs, including the very successful BrownOut program that brings hands on demonstrations to local K-12 science and math classes.

The Center for Emergent Materials engages researchers from multiple disciplines to work in teams on scientific problems too complex for a single researcher to solve. The CEM, established in 2008, is located at The Ohio State University and funded by a National Science Foundation MRSEC award.