The Center for Materials Innovation establishes a transformative campus-wide eco-system to accelerate the design, discovery, and deployment of novel materials critical for the Industries of Tomorrow, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy/sustainability, artificial intelligence, and future semiconductors. Embedded in the eco-system is a long-term partnership between UM researchers and collaborators from industry, academia, and national laboratories. Building upon the principles of the Materials Genome Initiative, the interdisciplinary research groups combine computational, statistical, theoretical, and experimental approaches to examine processing-structure-property relationships in novel semiconductor heterostructures for advanced quantum information processing and reconfigurable polymers that are environmentally sustainable. The Center structure emphasizes the integration of research and education, with an emphasis on attracting and retaining a diverse body of next generation of materials researchers reflecting society at large. To build and maintain the campus-wide ecosystem, the Center works to engage all materials researchers through a suite of activities aimed at broadening participation and enhancing knowledge transfer. The Center is positioned to respond to emerging opportunities through its seed projects.

IRG 1

Endotaxial 2D Polytype Heterostructures

IRG 1 pioneers endotaxial heterostructures—interleaved polytypes of 2D materials—to access novel quantum states for advanced computing. By combining computational predictions, synthesis techniques, and device fabrication, this research enables breakthroughs in quantum and classical information technologies, aligning with priorities in nanoelectronics and quantum science.

Lead
Ageeth Bol
IRG 2

Covalent Adaptable Networks (CAN) for Sustainable and Regulatable Functional Materials

IRG 2 develops recyclable, reconfigurable polymers with self-healing and adaptive properties to revolutionize materials manufacturing. By integrating simulation, advanced synthesis, and FAIR data sharing, this research enables sustainable materials for extreme conditions, agile manufacturing, and energy-efficient applications, reducing environmental impact and advancing industries from aerospace to energy.

Lead
John Kieffer
Leadership
Rachel Goldman
Director
Stephen Maldonado
Associate Director
Ageeth Bol
IRG1 Lead
John Kieffer
IRG2 Lead
Akesha Moore
Education & Outreach Coordinator
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor