9632472 Chang The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Northwestern University supports interactive research in five interdisciplinary groups. The unifying theme of the research is the design and characterization of structured materials with unique properties for potential technological applications. One group investigates electroactive and magnetoactive molecular materials by designing molecular materials for specific electroresponsive or magnetoresponsive properties. A second group studies narrow bandgap strained-layer semiconductor materials and focuses on the synthesis, stability, and properties of these materials. Strain and/or ordering is used to tailor the band structure, and hence the optical properties. This work has high potential impact on the area of room temperature infrared lasers and improved infrared detectors. Other applications include optical communications and optical computers which take advantage of the highly non-linear optical constants of these materials. A third group investigates optically functional polymers and molecular assemblies, bringing to bear a combination of synthesis, materials characterization, and theoretical approaches on problems of fundamental and applied significance in the area of polymers with optical nonlinearities. A fourth group studies ultrahard coatings with the goal of stabilizing and/or nucleating normally unstable phases, specifically certain nitrides, epitaxially on carefully chosen substrates. A fifth group working on functional electroceramic thin films will synthesize and characterize thin ceramic films for advanced dielectric and nonlinear optical applications and will extend the deposition and characterization techniques to novel transparent conducting oxides. The MRSEC supports the development, operation and maintenance of shared experimental facilities for materials research. It provides seed funding for exploratory research and fosters research participation by unde rgraduates. The Center supports an educational outreach program aimed at pre-college science education through development of the Materials World Modules, and a program featuring research experiences for science teachers. The Center also administers an industrial outreach program. The Center currently supports 35 senior investigators, 5 postdoctoral research associates, 7 technicians or other professionals, 34 graduate students, and 16 undergraduates. The MRSEC is directed by Professor R.P.H. Chang. %%% The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Northwestern University supports interactive research in five interdisciplinary groups. The unifying theme of the research is the design and characterization of structured materials with unique properties for potential technological applications. One group investigates electroactive and magnetoactive molecular materials. A second group studies narrow bandgap strained-layer semiconductor materials. This work has high potential impact on the area of room temperature infrared lasers and improved infrared detectors. Other applications include optical communications and optical computers which take advantage of the highly non-linear optical constants of these materials. A third group investigates optically functional polymers and molecular assemblies, while a fourth group studies ultrahard, specifically certain nitrides. A fifth group working on functional electroceramic thin films will synthesize and characterize thin ceramic films for advanced dielectric and nonlinear optical applications. The MRSEC supports the development, operation and maintenance of shared experimental facilities for materials research. It provides seed funding for exploratory research and fosters research participation by undergraduates. The Center supports an educational outreach program aimed at pre-college science education through development of the Materials World Modules, and a program featuring research experie nces for science teachers. The Center also administers an industrial outreach program. The Center currently supports 35 senior investigators, 5 postdoctoral research associates, 7 technicians or other professionals, 34 graduate students, and 16 undergraduates. The MRSEC is directed by Professor R.P.H. Chang ***
