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The goal of IRG #3 is to advance the understanding of molecular plasmonics at the single nanoparticle and single molecule levels and to develop the new research tools necessary to accomplish this. The group is working to control and manipulate light on the nanometer-length scale as mediated by localized and propagating surface plasmons. The major thrusts of this effort include:

1. developing new, anisotropic nanomaterials,
2. creating passive and active plasmonic devices,
3. developing coherent control strategies to manipulate plasmons within nanoparticle arrays,
4. understanding the coupling mechanism between molecular chromophores and surface plasmons, and
5. understanding the coupling between plasmons and other nano- and micro-scale resonantors.

While living systems routinely achieve size-controlled assembly, synthetic approaches lag far behind. IRG1: Self-Limiting Assembly adopts a bioinspired approach to develop a suite of building blocks which undergo equilibrium self-assembly that self-terminates at tunable finite-sized structures without requiring external control. 

IRG-3 at MRL examines in detail the unique opportunities afforded bulk materials through the addition of nanoparticles. We have shown that the increasing availability of organic and inorganic nanoparticles and structured colloids creates exciting opportunities for new soft cellular materials with unique property combinations at low cost. These include improved electrical or ionic conductivity and thermal/mechanical stability, exceptional barrier properties or chemical resistance, etc. Nanoparticles can be used to statically or dynamically stabilize the cellular fluid precursors and enhance or impart new properties to the material formulation. Development of these materials will require a fundamental, science-based understanding of strategies to control nanoparticle location, structure and dynamics.

An Assessment of the Impact of the NSF's Materials Research Science & Engineering Centers Program was carried out by an independent NRC committee over a 2-year period. The purpose of this study was to:

PROGRAM GUIDELINES Solicitation  10-568

MRSEC programs provide transformative opportunities for  students and faculty at minority-serving institutions to participate in leading-edge materials science and engineering  research. But in order to encourage more underrepresented  minority researchers to take advantage of these opportunities, we need to cultivate personal connections with those at

In January, Qiyuan Chen presented MRSEC-supported research at the 40th AAAI-26 Conference in Singapore. Chen’s presentation introduced a new physics-aware generative AI framework designed to decode the complex structure of disordered materials.

At the recent American Physics Society meeting, MRSEC center directors and other representatives discussed new and improved opportunities in the field. The March meeting, which was held in New Orleans, brought together thousands of experienced and aspiring scientists looking to learn about the latest scientific research from industry and universities. Meeting highlights included a plenary on science policy in the 21st century, discussions on polymer opportunities across NSF, and poster sessions highlighting ongoing research.

The NSF MRSEC program is celebrating its 10th anniversary. A special function was organized at the Fall 2004 MRS Meeting the evening of Tuesday, November 30.

Some cotton candy machines can do more than simply satisfy a sweet tooth. Researchers at Harvard and Vanderbilt University have discovered a way for the machines to spin new fibers that could potentially contribute to life-saving technologies such as regrowing human tissue or inventing lighter bullet proof vests. Learn more about this revolutionary U.S. National Science Foundation-funded research.