About the center
Introduction
The Chicago Materials Research Center addresses fundamental scientific problems of technological significance which require an approach that transcends traditional disciplines. We are funded by the National Science Foundation as one of their Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC). Our Center is distinguished by:
- a concept-driven approach.
We do not delineate our interdisciplinary research groups (IRGs) by the
specific type of materials investigated, but by the conceptual framework
they address. This enables us to explore synergistic connections effectively
and to exploit fundamental principles driving the behavior of many materials.
- collaborations between experimentalists, theorists, and computer
simulators from six departments at the University of Chicago,
including Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Molecular Genetics
and Cell Biology, Physics, and Radiology and two research institutes (James
Franck Institute, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics). These departments
are all ranked in the top ten in the country.
- the continuous development and improvement of equipment-intensive
facilities needed for this collaborative, interdisciplinary work.
- synergistic cooperation with scientists from industry
and national laboratories - including Center participants from Argonne's
Materials Science and Chemistry Divisions. Shared students and postdocs
testify to the strength of these interactions.
- the quality of teaching and training directed toward
students at all levels from high school through postdoctoral study.
Organization of the Scientific Work:
Our research activities currently are organized into four interdisciplinary research groups (IRGs), and a number of seed efforts. (More information about our IRGs can be found by clicking the "research" button on the left.) Each IRG has coordinators who are responsible for formulating the integrated scientific programs for their groups. The IRGs have strong interactions between their members, as evidenced by joint experimental undertakings, collaborations between theorists and experimentalists working in a variety of disciplines, and IRG-wide meetings, all of which make for coherence in the research. While addressing scientifically distinct goals, the IRGs interact in a multitude of ways, providing a highly synergistic research atmosphere.
Shared facilities:
Nine Shared Facilities provide vital research support and training to our MRSEC. They help give our students a broad interdisciplinary outlook on materials research, and help to pass technical know-how from one generation to the next. Upgrades continuously occur, reflecting the changing needs of our scientific program. See the facilities section of our website for more information on what facilities we operate.
Educational Activities:
Integration of research with education and outreach is a central theme throughout the Chicago MRSEC. Our Center achieves its impact through a spectrum of activities that involve all MRSEC members from students to senior faculty. These build on our particular strengths, and recognize the opportunities connected with our location on the South Side of Chicago. Through carefully selected programs we target three areas in which our Center can make a significant difference. These areas are: 1) the enhancement of education and career development within the research community, including our own, 2) outreach programs targeted to our neighborhood, including K-12 science clubs and classroom visits, pre-college internships, and special training for teachers in the Chicago Public Schools, and 3) informal science outreach to the general public.
Collaboration with Industry and Other Sectors:
Our Center seeks to maximize the impact of its research via interactions with industry and national laboratories. In consultation with our Industrial Liason Committee we have developed a highly effective set of programs for industrial outreach and knowledge transfer. Our primary aims include: rapid and broad dissemination of the Center's discoveries and practical innovations, the development of new opportunities for industrially relevant materials research, and to provide opportunities for MRSEC students, post-docs and faculty to interact with and learn from industry researchers. In addition, the University of Chicago's role operating Argonne National Laboratory for the Dept. of Energy has facilitated a close partnership with Argonne that leverages reciprocal strengths at both institutions.