The Harvard MRSEC
hosted a four-day workshop on Soft-Matter and Innovations that brought together
over 250 researchers with participation of members from over a dozen of the MRSECs for a very
successful inter-MRSEC activity. The first two days featured leaders from the MRSECs along with other
prominent researchers on recent scientific advances in soft materials, from
biological matter to microfluidics to novel concepts in
material science. The third day focused on industry with scientific leaders
discussing innovation in both large and small companies, including start-up
formation. The final day was devoted to undergraduate education with talks on
new methods of introducing soft matter in the undergraduate curriculum and
other pedagogical developments in the material sciences. Following the formal
presentations, there were networking and poster sessions with postdoctoral
fellows and graduate students to allow for more detailed interaction among the
researchers and attendees. 
