Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC): Multifunctional Nanoscale Material Structures

The MRSEC program currently supports four Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs). These IRGs cover a range of research from fundamental solid-state science to engineering application of polymer processing.

In addition to the IRGs, seed groups are supported by the MRSEC. Seed groups focus their research on new and emerging areas of interest, allowing the center to respond positively to current scientific developments.

IRG 1 Synergistic Linear and Nonlinear Phenomena in Multifunctional Oxide Ceramic Systems

IRG 2 Novel Processing Methods for Nanostructured Polymer Blends, Composites and Supramolecular Structures

IRG 3 Molecular Plasmonics: Fundamentals, New Tools, and Devices

IRG 4 Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Nanoelectronic Materials from Molecules to Printable Thin Films

Seed Projects

• Synthetic Development of Novel Organic Electron Transport Materials
• Nanocomposite Elastomers for Vascular Tissue Engineering
• Analysis and Design of Genetic and Metabolic Control Systems of Bacterial Cells
• Electrostatically "Patchy" Nanoparticle Coatings for Applications in Biomaterials and Flexible Electronics

Research Highlights provide a brief description of new research developments in several groups.

Principal investigators (PIs) for IRGs and seed groups are selected for their expertise by internal and external review and form interdisciplinary teams with a balance of theoretical and experimental scientific and engineering strengths. Center researchers also share interests in materials synthesis and characterization techniques. Joint postdoctoral and graduate student assignments between PIs in the same research group as well as between different research groups enhance synergism and reduce cost. Researchers are also actively involved in knowledge transfer and outreach programs. They hold workshops with their industrial partners, act as mentors for students in center educational programs, and contribute their expertise to the development of new programs.