9353488 Akins City College of City University of New York proposes to continue its Center for Analysis of Structures and Interfaces (CASI). The Center has two fundamental goals: (1) to conduct exemplary research and (2) to substantially enhance the involvement of minorities in science and engineering in this Nation. The center has three research component subprojects including: (1) the use of light and its properties to study structure and dynamical processes of aggregated molecules absorbed onto surfaces of different types of materials, (2) the use of spectroscopies to investigate structures and properties of mass-selected cluster beams syntheses of clusters, and (3) the use of ultrafast laser techniques for characterization and assessment of nonlinear properties of films and semiconductors for electronic and/or photonic device applications. CASI was established in 1988 with funding from the National Science Foundation under the Minority Research Centers of Excellence (MRCE) Program. The CASI project meets the goals of the MRCE Program especially (1) to increase the minority presence in science and engineering by making substantial resources available to upgrade the research capabilities of strong and productive minority institutions, (2) to allow the institutions to continue use of research as a tool to increase the effectiveness of related science and engineering activities for minority groups in its region, and (3) to provide opportunities for minority faculty and students at City College and nearby institutions to engage in meritorious research that leads to publications in refereed journals. ***
