The Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter @ University of Pennsylvania
The traditional home for research on materials at the University of
Pennsylvania (PENN) is the Laboratory for Research on the Structure of
Matter (LRSM). The LRSM is an autonomous entity, with its own building
and laboratory space, which was created specifically to foster
collaborative, interdisciplinary research on the PENN campus. The LRSM
receives funding from PENN and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to
support a Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at
PENN. The principal investigator on the NSF grant is Arjun G. Yodh,
Director of the LRSM. The MRSEC provides core support for selected
Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs) and seed projects to pursue a
range of fundamental materials problems, involving collaborations with
industry and National Laboratories. In addition, the LRSM is developing
new-shared experimental facilities (SEFs) both in-house and at National
Laboratories. The LRSM is also helping to sustain SEFs that are vital
tools for the local materials research community. The LRSM maintains a
broad range of innovative educational outreach activities to the
materials community, local colleges, and high schools. The LRSM runs a
vigorous summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program,
with a special emphasis on participation by women and under-represented
groups.
Research Groups
Program Highlights
- February 24, 2012 Quantum Dot Circuits
- February 24, 2012 Soft Spots in Disordered Colloidal Packings
- August 31, 2011 Stressing the Most Important (Dirac) Points
- August 31, 2011 Workshops on Materials Science Labs for Teachers
- August 31, 2011 Philly Materials Science and Engineering Day
- August 31, 2011 Using a vice to change topology: theory and modeling insulators under strain The Topological Insulators Seed of the LRSM
- August 31, 2011 Protein Assembly at the Air-Water Interface
- August 31, 2011 Nanostructured programmable matter for functional architectures and devices