0080016 Hull The Materials Research Science and Egineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of Virginia supports an interdisciplinary research program on nanoscopic materials design. The group research explores the guided growth of epitaxial semiconductor sufaces, combining short-range self-assembly phenomena with long-range pattern definition techniques. Techniques utilized include focused ion beam surface modification, nano-scaled electrochemical etching and strain field engineering. This will lead to the capability for definition of nanoscale semiconductor surface structures of arbitrary length scales and complexity, with applications to quantum device structures, biological templating and nanoscale electrochemical processes. The Center's research is aided by extensive collaborations with other universities, government and industrial laboratories. The Center also provides seed support for emerging research opportunities in related areas.
The Center supports well maintained shared experimental facilities and also supports interactive efforts with industry and other sectors. Education outreach efforts focus on developing collaborations with two- and four-year colleges in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and include a joint curriculum development effort with Longwood College, Northern Virginia Community College and Hampton University.
Participants in the Center currently include 21 senior investigators, 2 postdoctoral associates, 11 graduate students, 6 undergraduate students and 2 technicians and other support personnel. Professor Robert Hull directs the MRSEC.
