Mission
Advancing Materials Research for a Better Future
Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) support multidisciplinary materials research and education of the highest quality while addressing fundamental problems in science and engineering that are important to society. MRSECs require outstanding research quality, intellectual and disciplinary breadth, flexibility in responding to new research opportunities, support for research infrastructure, and the integration of research and education. MRSECs assess fundamental materials research topics of intellectual and technological importance, contribute to national priorities by fostering active collaboration between academia and other sectors, and enable researchers to address problems of a scope and complexity requiring the advantages of scale and interdisciplinarity provided by a campus-based research center.
Discover
Explore the World of Materials Research
The MRSEC program is dedicated to advancing materials research through innovative programs and collaborations. Join us in shaping the future of science and technology.
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Research
MRSECs lead cutting-edge research in materials science, pushing the boundaries of innovation. Our interdisciplinary teams explore new materials and phenomena to address global challenges in technology, energy, and sustainability. -
Education
Our education initiatives foster the next generation of scientists and engineers. Through hands-on learning, outreach programs, and academic partnerships, we empower students at all levels to excel in materials science and related fields. -
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Industry
We bridge the gap between academia and industry by collaborating with leading companies to translate our research into real-world applications. Our industry partnerships drive innovation and contribute to economic growth through the development of new materials and technologies. -
Collaboration
MRSECs foster collaboration between academia and industry, enabling interdisciplinary teams to address complex materials challenges. They strengthen knowledge transfer, build partnerships across institutions and sectors, and encourage international cooperation to advance materials research and education.
Jun 16, 2026
University of Texas at Austin
Allan MacDonald Honored with Kavli Prize in Nanoscience
When Allan H. MacDonald, a theoretical physicist at The University of Texas at Austin and a faculty investigator in UT Austin’s Center for Dynamics and Control of Materials, an NSF MRSEC, began exploring two-dimensional materials decades ago, the field was still taking shape. Today, that work has helped define an entirely new area of nanoscience — and earned him one of science’s major international honors.
Apr 28, 2026
University of California - San Diego
Stick-on Gel Offers New Way to Treat and Monitor Plants
A stick-on gel for plants could one day offer a simple, safe and targeted way to treat diseases and pests. Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed an adhesive gel that can be loaded with substances, such as small molecule drugs or nanoparticles, and applied directly onto a plant to deliver those materials into its tissues. In tests, a gel loaded with antibiotics cleared a bacterial infection in a plant within about 48 hours.
Mar 10, 2026
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Gillian-Daniel Receives Shakhashiri Award for Work Leading MRSEC Education and Outreach Efforts
Anne Lynn Gillian-Daniel recently received a 2026 Bassam Z. Shakhashiri Public Science Engagement Award. Gillian-Daniel directs the Wisconsin MRSEC’s Integrated Education and Outreach group.
Oct 29, 2025
UMN Materials Research Science and Engineering Center
Pushing the Limits of Ionic Control of Materials: University of Minnesota’s MRSEC Makes Breakthroughs in Electrolyte Gating
By MRSEC Web Team
Electrolyte gating uses ions to reversibly modify La0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ, changing oxygen content and electrical, magnetic, and optical properties at 1–2 V. The team achieved ~100-cycle endurance with humidity control and 4 nm films switching in ~0.7 s. Prospects include tunable optics/photonics; future work targets diffusion and surface chemistry; collaborations.
Jan 30, 2023
Video Showcases the Value and Benefit of the MRSEC Program
Universities that have earned the Materials Research Science & Engineering Centers (MRSEC) grant award are engaged in collaborative interdisciplinary research at the very forefront of the field. Exciting opportunities exist for graduate students, undergraduates, postdoctor scholars, and faculty. This short video summarizes important features of the MRSEC program at all Centers.
From Research Highlights
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Dive into cutting-edge projects and collaborations pushing the boundaries of discovery.
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