Future technological needs for ceramics will be great. A great deal of research in advanced ceramics is necessary now so that its potential for unique structural, electronic, and optical properties will be available to develop the crucial new industrial processes and products necessary for continued industrial growth. Industry has recognized this need and appears to be willing to support an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Micro-Engineered Ceramics. This project is funding the initiation of an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Micro- Engineered Ceramics at the University of New Mexico in collaboration with New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and in association with Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories. The research program is addressing: 1. Novel powder processing schemes for controlled morphology powder compacts; 2. Coatings and porous films; and 3. Heavy particle modification of ceramics and effects on thermal and electronic properties. Industry funding will exceed $300,000 per year. In addition to the National Science Foundation, the two National Laboratories are committing $500,000 per year to the Center. In addition to a complete return of overhead on industrial funds to the Center, the University of New Mexico has committed $800,000 in start-up funding for new personnel and other long-term investments for the infrastructure of the Center. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is contributing two graduate students to the Center. The Principal Investigator and his university and National Laboratory research colleagues in the Center are nationally recognized experts in their fields. They represent a very strong research team that has the capability and industrial contacts to establish and run an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center. The Program Manager recommends that a cooperative agreement be made with the University of New Mexico in collaboration with New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Total funding for the cooperative agreement is not to exceed $750,000 over five years.
