The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of Alabama investigates new materials that may lead to future information technologies. The Center involves interdisciplinary research by faculty participants from the Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. The MRSEC research is organized into two interdisciplinary research groups (IRGs). IRG1, Dynamics and Transport in Nanostructured Magnetic Materials, focuses on the synthesis, characterization, modeling and optimization of films of ordered, self-assembled, monodisperse, magnetic nanoparticles that may serve as future extremely high density magnetic recording media. IRG2, Dendrimer-Based Materials for Information Technology, investigates new dendrimer-based materials for information technology and evolves from a seed project that demonstrated long-term charge storage in special redox gradient dendrimer molecules.
The Center maintains shared experimental facilities in support of its research and for student training. The MRSEC also supports education and outreach efforts that include development of instructional materials for middle school students by teachers and MRSEC faculty, a summer research experience for teachers and undergraduates, and a summer research program for faculty and students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Center has strong interactions with the magnetic recording industry that inform the fundamental research done by the MRSEC participants of 'real wotld' contraints and needs.
Participants in the Center currently include 16 senior investigators, 5 postdoctoral associates, 13 graduate students, 1 undergraduate student and 1 support personnel. Professor William H. Butler directs the MRSEC.
