What is our logo?
Our MRSEC logo shows the arrangement of atoms at the surface of a crystal. Crystals are made up of layers, or "planes" of atoms, perfectly stacked in an ordered pattern. Because this surface has been cut at a slight angle to the crystal planes, it appears "stepped" (we call this type of surface a vicinal surface). Modern scanned-probe microscopes, such as the STM, allow us to see the atoms at the surface of a crystal, producing images very similar to this one.

University of Maryland

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

About MRSEC

The University of Maryland Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) is part of a network of national Materials Research centers funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The MRSEC's activities focus on three general areas:

• Materials Research
• Research Collaborations
• Education Outreach

For more details on the NSF MRSEC program, visit www.mrsec.org.

The Maryland MRSEC was established under the directorship of Professor Ellen Williams with an NSF award in September 1996. After a successful four-year run, NSF renewed the MRSEC in September 2000. In September 2005, the MRSEC proudly announced a third award from NSF to continue its cutting-edge research and innovative outreach activities. After a successful 17 years of operation, the UMD-MRSEC grant ended in September 2013.

The Maryland MRSEC carries out nationally recognized fundamental research on surfaces and interfaces of materials with potential impact on the next generation of opto- and nano-electronic devices, and on complex oxides with potential applications in memory, switches and sensors. The research is closely integrated with a continuing educational outreach program that has a direct impact on the education of a diverse population of K – 12 students and teachers.

Download the University of Maryland MRSEC brochure.