The atomic structure along step edges on metal oxide surfaces is crucial for the growth of overlayers in complex oxide devices. No experimental techniques are yet capable of resolving that structure. Theoretical calculations of step structures on metal oxides are complex and have not been reported to date.

In October 2005, a "Materials Day at MIT" outreach symposium was held that focused on new research developments from the MIT MRSEC program. This full day symposium, organized by MIT's Materials Processing Center (MPC) and Industrial Liaison Program (ILP), was attended by representatives from a total of 42 different companies. Also in attendance were about 65 members of the MIT community, including faculty, graduate and undergraduate students.

This unique event intended to introduce students to the world of robotics and provide educators with robotics-related teaching resources. This year's conference focused on the exciting field of underwater research and exploration and how robots are dramatically changing the way this is accomplished. Students working in teams of two or four developed their own concept of an underwater robot and design and present a poster illustrating their concept during a poster session at the conference.