Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

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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.