The Materials Research Laboratory (MRL) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign supports a broad range of interactive and interdisciplinary research organized around the general theme of structured materials in six primary thrust areas. The optical semiconductors and heterostructures thrust focuses on semiconductor heterostructures and superlattices. Investigations include advanced methods of multilayer fabrication, microstructural characterization, diffusion and disordering, and electronic and vibrational properties. The thrust on advanced catalytic materials aims to extend the range of catalytic materials that can be made, control their microstructure, develop techniques to characterize the microstructure, and understand the relationship between structure and function. Activities in the mechanisms of high temperature superconductivity thrust center around two main questions: (i) what are the underlying mechanisms responsible for high temperature superconductivity, and (ii) how can materials be prepared to study these mechanisms and to enhance desirable properties of the new materials? The thrust group in advanced computational materials research is developing new algorithmic approaches to problems in materials science, designed to exploit the most advanced computational systems available and to look forward to developing architectures for computers that will change desirable algorithmic characteristics. A new thrust in self-ordering macromolecular materials brings together researchers from materials science, physics, chemical engineering and biochemistry to explore features of self-organization (spontaneous development of structure) in organic macromolecular materials. Finally, properties of mesoscopic systems is a new MRL effort directed toward fabricating submicron thin film structures and studying electronic transport phenomena in them. The MRL also supports the development, operation and maintenance of major central materials research facilities, and provides seed funds for new faculty and high-risk research related to its overall program. The program currently involves 47 faculty members from chemical sciences, engineering, materials science and physics, 14 postdoctoral research associates, 61 graduate students, 10 other scientific and technical professionals and 6 students participating in "Research Experience for Undergraduates". The Illinois MRL is under the direction of Professor Myron B. Salamon.//
