The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at the University of Minnesota supports a broad research program foucsed on hybrid materials. The Center is organized through two interdisciplinary research groups, and pursues exploratory research in several seed projects. The MRSEC supports an educational outreach program to the Native American community in a four-state area surrounding the University of Minnesota. The Center maintains shared experimental facilities which are accessible to outside users, and also supports interactive efforts with industry and other sectors. One of the two interdisciplinary research groups is investigating the microstructure of macromolecular materials. This group seeks to employ block co-polymers as key ingredients, but rarely as sole ingredients, in order to control the structure and function of new hybrid polymers. The goal of the second group is to develop a fundamental understanding of the materials science of artificial tissues and to develop materials for use in biosystems. An important aspect of this work is to define systematically the relationships betweeen composition, structure, and mechanical properties of arificial tissues. Participants in the Center include approximately 20 senior investigators, 9 postdoctoral associates, 21 graduate students, 10 undergraduates, and 1 support person. Professors Michael D. Ward and Frank S. Bates serve as Center Directors
