a little history
The traditional home for research on materials at the University
of Pennsylvania (PENN) is the Laboratory for Research on the
Structure of Matter (LRSM). The LRSM is an autonomous entity,
with its own building and laboratory space, which was created
specifically to foster collaborative, interdisciplinary research
on the PENN campus. The LRSM receives funding from PENN and
the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support a Materials
Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at PENN. The
principal investigator on the NSF grant is Michael L. Klein,
Director of the LRSM. The MRSEC provides core support for
selected Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs) and seed
projects to pursue a range of fundamental materials problems,
involving collaborations with industry and National Laboratories.
In addition, the LRSM is developing new-shared experimental
facilities (SEFs) both in-house and at National Laboratories.
The LRSM is also helping to sustain SEFs that are vital tools
for the local materials research community. The LRSM maintains
a broad range of innovative educational outreach activities
to the materials community, local colleges, and high schools.
The LRSM runs a vigorous summer Research Experience for Undergraduates
(REU) program, with a special emphasis on participation by
women and under-represented groups.
The LRSM is funded as a MRSEC (NSF grant DMR05-20020), with
a special focus on "soft" materials. The four IRGs that currently
comprise the RESEARCH at
the PENN MRSEC are:
Filamentous Networks & Structured Gels
Functional Cylindrical Assemblies
Designed Programmable Membranes
De Novo Synthetic Protein Modules for Light-Capture and Catalysis
Oxide-Based Hierarchical Interfacial Materials
The LRSM MRSEC brings together departments and disciplines
from all over PENN's campus to collaborate in research, symposia,
workshops and other outreach.
<click for more info on OUTREACH>.
Shared Experimental Facilities play an important role in
promoting collaboration and outreach and are a focal point
for knowledge transfer to industry and graduate education.
<click for more info on SEFs>.
The LRSM has a strong collaboration with industry, other
centers, universities and other sectors.
<click for more info on INTERACTIONS>.
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