9632275 Silcox The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Cornell University supports interactive research in four interdisciplinary groups. The theme of the MRSEC is the understanding and control of materials at the nanostructural level. The Center supports an extensive program of research experience for undergraduates and a new program of outreach to pre-college students in upstate New York, including collaborative efforts with a local science museum. The Center will also support seed funding for exploratory research and emerging areas of materials science. The MRSEC supports enhanced collaboration with industry and extensive shared experimental facilities that also support research not directly funded by the MRSEC. As part of the Center's search for new materials, the molecular inorganic- organic composites group will focus on innovative approaches for preparing and characterizing novel nanoscale inorganic-organic molecular composites. The group studying thin films on glass proposes systematic studies of disordered surfaces and thin film deposition on glass. The research addresses a rich array of phenomena that are not currently understood, and has potential application for large area electronics, a growing segment of the communications and display industry. Thin film deposition by energetic ion and atom beams can alter thin film growth substantially, leading to new structures, new compositions, and smooth ultra-thin films with improved properties. This group seeks to understand the microscopic processes underlying these effects. Uniquely structured nanoscale materials that isolate a few defects (or even a single one) will be used by the metallic nanostructure group to elucidate fundamental issues arising from defects and impurities. Magnetic interactions, defects and impurities can produce dramatic effects in quantum systems. The Center currently supports about 35 senior investigators, 8 postdoctoral research associates, 12 t echnicians or other professionals, 36 graduate students, and 25 undergraduates. The MRSEC is directed by Professor John Silcox. %%% The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Cornell University supports interactive research in four interdisciplinary groups. The theme of the MRSEC is the understanding and control of materials at the nanostructural level. The Center supports an extensive program of research experience for undergraduates and a new program of outreach to pre-college students in upstate New York, including collaborative efforts with a local science museum. The Center will also support seed funding for exploratory research and emerging areas of materials science. The MRSEC supports enhanced collaboration with industry and extensive shared experimental facilities that also support research not directly funded by the MRSEC. As part of the Center's search for new materials, the molecular inorganic- organic composites group will focus on innovative approaches for preparing and characterizing novel nanoscale inorganic-organic molecular composites. The group studying thin films on glass proposes systematic studies of disordered surfaces and thin film deposition on glass. The research addresses a rich array of phenomena that are not currently understood, and has potential application for large area electronics, a growing segment of the communications and display industry. Thin film deposition by energetic ion and atom beams can alter thin film growth substantially, leading to new structures, new compositions, and smooth ultra-thin films with improved properties. This group seeks to understand the microscopic processes underlying these effects. Uniquely structured nanoscale materials that isolate a few defects (or even a single one) will be used by the metallic nanostructure group to elucidate fundamental issues arising from defects and impurities. Magnetic interactions, defects and impurities can produce dramatic effects in q uantum systems. The Center currently supports about 35 senior investigators, 8 postdoctoral research associates, 12 technicians or other professionals, 36 graduate students, and 25 undergraduates. The MRSEC is directed by Professor John Silcox. ***
