Dan FinotelloProgram Director

Materials Research Science and

Engineering CentersNational Science Foundation

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits!

Chiral nematic

National Science Foundation (NSF)Division of Materials Research (DMR)

MRSEC WorkshopBrown UniversityNovember 8, 2018

•NSF Organization and Mission•DMR Organization and Mission•DMR Programs•MRSEC Program•Solicitation: Strategic Research

Directions/NSF Big Ideas; Research Topics of DMR Interest

•Review Mechanisms

Outline

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits

The NSF Strategic Plan

NSF-3

“to promote the progress of

science; to advance the

national health, prosperity, and

welfare; to secure the national

defense; and for other

purposes.”

From Public Law 81-507 - NSF Act of 1950

NSF’s Mission

“A Nation that creates and

exploits new concepts in

science and engineering and

provides global leadership in

research and education ”.

NSF’s Vision

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits

What does NSF do?FUND ~24% of all federally-supported basic research in the U.S. with

an annual budget of ~ $7.3 billionSUPPORT basic research and education for all fields of science and

engineering, as well as large facilitiesPROVIDE grant opportunities in two forms:

• Unsolicited: curiosity-driven and/or use-inspired fundamental research

• Solicited: more focused (topical or special opportunity)USE merit review processROTATE some program directors & management: fluidityPROMOTE cross-disciplinary mechanismsPartner with research community to invest public funds in science and

engineering

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits

NSF Merit Review Criteria

• Intellectual Merit: The Intellectual Meritcriterion encompasses the potential to advanceknowledge; and

• Broader Impacts: The Broader Impacts criterionencompasses the potential to benefit societyand contribute to the achievement of specific,desired societal outcomes.

• Solicitation Specific Criteria: collaborations,complexity, partnerships, synergy and more.

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits

U. S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

Mathematical& Physical

Sciences

GeosciencesComputer &Information

Sci &Eng

BiologicalSciences

Office of theInspector General

DirectorNational Science Board

Social, Behavioral,& Economic

Sciences

Education & HumanResources

Budget, Finance, &

Award Management

Information& Resource Management

Office of Diversity & Inclusion

Office of the General Counsel

Office of Integrative Activities

Office of International Science & Engineering

Office of Legislative & Public Affairs

> $7 B/ FY18

France Córdova

Engineering

Where Materials Begin & Society BenefitsMRSEC WorkshopBrown University

November 8, 2018

MPSAssistant Director

Anne Kinney

Mathematical SciencesDirector

Juan Mezza

PhysicsDirector

C. Denise Caldwell

Materials ResearchDirector

Linda S. Sapochak

Acting ChemistryDirector

Carol Bessel

Astronomical SciencesDirector

Richard Green

Office of Multidisciplinary

Activities

$307.3 M $245.7 M $337.3 M

$236.5 M$310.8 M

$60.3 M

$1.5B(FY 18 budget)

Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS)

ONE OF THE LARGEST & MORE DIVERSE DIVISIONS in all of NSF

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits!

Sean L. Jones

Miriam Deutsch

Eugene Zubarev

Alex Simonian

Division of Materials Research (DMR)Current Workflow

Allison Smith, PS Kelsey Smith, Student

Claudia Johnson, Contractor

Aubrie TenEyck,Contractor

Benita Fair, PSMeghan Ackerman, PsRecruiting, PS

Velma Lawson, PSM

Materials Research Science & Eng. Centers

Daniele Finotello

• Data Analysis• DMR

Highlights• Refreshment

Orders• Panel

Spreadsheet• IAA

• Admin Review• DMR Highlights• Outreach• Program Budget• CGIs

• Admin Review• Program Budget• CGIs• Standard

Operating Procedures

• Admin Review

• Technology Trainer

• Web Updates

• Listserv• Outreach

• Timekeeper

• Program Budget• CGIs

• Panel Optimization

Polymers

Andrew Lovinger

Ceramics

Lynnette Madsen

• Program Budget

• CGIs• IAAs• Record

Management

• Program Budget

• CGIs• IAAs• Record

Management

• Newsletter• Outreach• Program

Budget• CGIs• IAAs• Staff Meeting

Coordinator

• Outreach• Recruitment

Mgt. Support• Program

Budget• CGIs• IAAs

XCNANO

Back up: Meghan Back up: Allison (travel) & Zaneta

Back up: Zaneta Back up: Aubrie Back up: Zaneta & Meghan

Back up: Claudia Back up: AubrieBack up: Kelsey

M

National Facilities

Guebre Tessema

Charles Ying

Leonard Spinu

MIP

MRI

XCNIST

Electronic & Phonic

Materials

Tania Paskova

Condensed Matter & Materials Theory

Daryl Hess

Alex Klironomos

DMR InitiativesBSF - Binational Science FoundationI-Corps - Innovation CorpsINT - InternationalQL - Quantum LeapMIP - Materials Innovation PlatformsMRI - Major Research InstrumentationNANO - NanotechnologyNIST - National Institute of Standards &

TechnologyNSCI - National Strategic Computing

InitiativeSNM - Scalable NanomanufacturingXC - Cross-Cutting Activities

Supports DMR-wide Programs

Clark Cooper, ADDDLinda Sapochak, DD Neila Odom-Jefferson, OS

Solid-State & Materials Chemistry

Birgit Schwenzer

Back up: Allison

PREM

Debasis Majumdar

Designing Materials to Revolutionize and

Eng. Our Future

John Schlueter

I-Corps

Eva Campo

Condensed Matter Physics

Tomasz Durakiewicz

GermanoIannacchione

Metals & Metallic Nanostructures

Gary Shiflet

Biomaterials

Mohan Srinivasarao

REU Sites

Recruitingl

Krystle Wilson

Science Analyst

Freddy Khoury

Experts

Lynnette Madsen

Robert Opila

Recruiting

Catherine Oertel

Recruiting, PS

Created by: Velma Lawson, 9/6/18

Topical Materials Research Programs

TMRPMaterials Research Science &

Engineering Centers

(MRSEC)

National Facilities & Instrumentation

ProgramBiomaterialsCeramicsElectronic & Photonic MaterialsMetals and Metallic NanostructuresPolymersCondensed Matter & Materials TheoryCondensed Matter PhysicsSolid State and Materials Chemistry

Designing Materials to Revolutionize &

Engineer our Future (DMREF

NSF 19-516)

Partnerships in Research & Education in

Materials (PREM)

Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS)

National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL)

Center for High Resolution Neutron Scattering (CHRNS)

National Nanotechnology Coordination Network (NNCI)

Materials Innovation Platforms (MIPs NSF 19-XXX)

Cross-Cutting Activities

Diversity

International

Education

DIVISION OF MATERIALS RESEARCH (DMR)Centers & Teams

User Facilities

Other types of Proposals: EAGER, RUI, GOALI (and CAREER*)

Solicitations

“unsolicited”

STC

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits

Topical Materials Research

Programs & DMREF

40%

CAREERs7%

REU Sites2%

Science and Technology

Centers2%

National Facilities &

Instrumentation18%

MRSEC & PREM 19%

FY15 $307MFY16 $310MFY17 $314MFY18R $283MFY18 $337M

DMR Budget Distribution

12% other

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits!

DMR Mission

DMR Mission Statement

• Make new discoveries about the behavior of matter and materials.• Create new materials and new knowledge about materials

phenomena. • Address fundamental materials questions that often transcend

traditional scientific and engineering disciplines and may lead to new technologies.

• Prepare the next generation of materials researchers.• Develop and support the instruments and facilities that are crucial

to advance the field.• Share the excitement and significance of materials science with the

public.

Partner with the research community to:

DMR Programs

Topical Material Programs

Metal & Metallic Nanostructures (MMN)

Ceramics (CER)

Electronic & Photonic Materials (EPM)

Polymers (POL)

Biomaterials (BMAT)

Lynnette Madsen

Andy Lovinger

Gary Shiflet

Tania PaskovaMohan Srinivasarao

Robert Opila

Solid State & Materials Chemistry (SSMC)

Condensed Matter & Materials Theory

(CMMT)

Condensed Matter Physics (CMP)

Tomasz Durakiewiez

GermanoIannacchione

Daryl HessAlex Klironomos

Freddy Khoury

Birgit Schwenzer

Catherine Oertel

Topical Material Programs

Materials Research Science & Engineering Centers (MRSECs)

• 1972 NSF established DMR with MRLs • MRSECs must have 2 or 3

Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs)

• Education and REU/RET• Diversity plans• Shared experimental facilities, mrfn.org• Competition every 3 years – 6 year

awards• Re-competition model and Seed

program provide a mechanism for a reinvention and adaptation to address emerging areas (flexibility)

~19% DMR budget

Birgit Schwenzer

Miriam Deutsch

• 1960-61 - Interdisciplinary Research Labs (IDLs) -ARPA

• 1971 - Proposal to transfer IDLs to NSF as a result of the Mansfield Amendment (no defense related research)

• 1972 - NSF establishes DMR, MRL program (later MRGs)

• 1994 - DMR creates MRSEC program (4 Years Awards: 6 Years awards in 2002); 1-5 IRGs

• 2010/11 - DMR establishes CEMRI (Centers) and MIRT (small team) programs

• 2013/14 - DMR drops CEMRI/MIRT nomenclature: MRSEC returns with no MIRT; 2-5 IRGs

• 2016/17 – MRSEC: Completed August 2017; 2-3 IRGs

MRSEC History

MRSEC & Other NSF Centers

IDL/MRL University

Year Initiated

Cornell 1960

Pennsylvania 1960

Northwestern 1960

Chicago 1961

Harvard 1961

MIT 1961

Pennsylvania State 1974

Ohio State 1982

2014

2011CEMRI

MRSEC through the years

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1994 1998 2000 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017

MRSECs

# MRSECs # IRGs

MRSEC: 20STC: 12 PFC: 11CCI: 15 ERC: 20

MRSEC Locations this decade

MRSEC Program Goals / Achievements• Stimulate and support outstanding interdisciplinary research and

education in materials of a scope and complexity needing a center.• All students, in or out of MRSEC benefit from it; network. Curriculum

development. No departmental (jargon) barriers.• Critical mass of investigators of complementary/diverse expertise

addressing fundamental, complex materials problems that areintellectually challenging and important to society.

• Foster partnerships between academia, industry, National labs, andinternational: Convergence / Transdisciplinarity

• Re-competition model and Seed program provide a mechanism forreinvention and adaptation to address emerging areas (flexibility)

• Leveraging of funds (NSF ~$56M; $44M other sources; Start-ups(10/year); Patents (50/year). Jobs creation

• Materials Research Facilities Network (~ 10 years), www.mrfn.org

Multidisciplinary User Facilities for Research

Materials Research Facilities Network (MRFN): mrfn.org

Yearly Users of MRSEC Facilities> 1380 Academic> 530 Industry>50 National Labs

743 Publications acknowledged MRSEC SF• 75 MRSEC Technical Staff in SEFs• 31 Other Technicians• 51 Administrative Staff• 37 Education Staff

MRFN Statistics20 centers 1141 instruments 255 experts

Mrfn.org>1140 Instruments on the network

< All user proposal driven >

MRSEC Startup Companies

Since 1985: 161 (85 since 2010) companies in 22 states plus 5 abroad, employing ~ 2900 individuals; More than 1500

patents awarded, 50/year

Innovation

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Materials Research Science & Engineering Centers

Princeton MRSEC: 3D Topological Dirac Insulator with a Quantum Spin Hall

Phase

U Penn MRSEC: Self-assembly of Janus-dendrimers into Uniform DendrimersomesWhere Materials Begin & Society Benefits

MRSEC WorkshopBrown University

November 8, 2018

CLASS of 201412 Awards, 32 IRGs: Brandeis, Chicago,

Colorado, Columbia, Harvard, Minnesota, MIT,Nebraska, NYU, Ohio State, Penn State, Princeton.

CLASS of 20178 Awards, 19 IRGs: Cornell, Northwestern,

UC Santa Barbara, U Penn, U Wisconsin, U Texas-Austin, U Washington, U of Illinois.

https://mrsec.org/

3 IRGs2 IRGS

Strategic Research Directions/ NSF Big Ideas

Where Materials Begin & Society BenefitsMRSEC WorkshopBrown University

November 8, 2018

Quantum Leap : Asking Ambitious Questions

Q3: How do we galvanize the science and engineering community to enable quantum devices, systems, and technologies that surpass classical capabilities?

Q1: Are there fundamental limits to how far we can push the entanglement and coherence frontiers for quantum states? Are there limits in time, distance, or scale?

Q2: What can we learn from quantum phenomena in naturally-occurring and engineered quantum systems, including emergent behavior, complexity, quantum-classical boundaries, and their theoretical foundations?

MRSEC WorkshopBrown University

November 8, 2018

Taking the Leap: First Steps

Fundamental science

Technologies and devices

Understanding natural and

engineered systems

NSF/DOE/AirForcesummer school: 380 applicants

Quantum workshops

Braiding DCL: 32 submissions

Quantum Computing Ideas Lab: 42 submissions

Enabling Practical-scale Quantum Computing: Expeditions in Computing

DCL: Enabling QL: Achieving room-temperature quantum logic

Triplets: 66 applicants

DCL: Quantum Leap in Chemistry: molecular approaches

DCL RAISE: Practical demonstrations in Quantum Leap: 150 submissions

FY 17-18 Activities underway

EFRIs: quantum memory, repeaters, topological metamaterials, networks

DCL: Engineering Quantum Integrated Platforms for Quantum Communication (EQuIP)

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits!

Contact: Tomasz Durakiewicz

• To understand and build the human-technology partnership.

• To design and develop new technologies to augment human performance.

• To illuminate the emerging socio-technological landscape.

• To foster lifelong and pervasive learning through technology.

Work at the Human-Technology Frontier – Shaping the Future (FWHTF)

• Solicitation FY18: FWHTF: Augmenting cognitive and physical capabilities [Due: June 4, 2018]• Focus: augmenting cognition; embodied ICAs• Two sizes: $0.75m - $1.5m; $1.5m - $3m.• > 300 LOIs• ENG: $9m of $27m total

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits!30

Harnessing Data for 21st Century Science and Engineering

NSF Big Idea: Harnessing the Data Revolution “… a bold initiative to develop a cohesive, national scale

approach to research data infrastructure and a 21st-century workforce capable of working effectively with data” and more …

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits

Harnessing the Data Revolution: Community response and support

2D Mtls data infrastructure (DMREF-MIP-EFRI) 30 submissions / 25 selectedMaterials and Data Science Hackathon 14 teams DMREF data and materials continuum 29 submission / 29 selected (DOE-EMN, NIST, ARFL)

High priority for DMR: Opportunities in FY18 and FY19 that go across scales from small grants to team awards and small awards to those that mid-scale.Activities build upon investments in DMREF, Facilities, Centers and CMMT program aswell as co-investments with the Division of Mathematical Sciences (DMS)

–(NSF 18-542) Transdisciplinary Research in Principles of Data Science (TRIPODS-X)

Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE)– (NSF 18-531) Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation (CSSI), – (NSF 17-500) Data Infrastructure Building Blocks (DIBBs) and – (NSF 17-526) Software Infrastructure for Sustained Innovation (SI2)

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits!

M.G. Finn mgfinn@gatech.edu Square-Table (type workshop) to

identify and explore synthetic biology and evolutionary approaches to develop the next generation of biomaterials.

Living Interfaces: Exploring Synthetic Biology and Evolution for the Development of Next-Generation Biomaterials

Contact: Germano Iannacchione

2019-2020 MRSEC Competition

NSF 19-517

2019-2020 MRSEC Competition• Preliminary Proposal Due Date:

June 24, 2019• Full Proposal Deadline:

November 26, 2019• Reverse Site Visits

February/March 2020

2019-2020 MRSEC Competition

• Anticipated Type of Award:Yearly Cooperative Agreement

• Estimated Number of Awards:8 to 10 MRSECs; 22 – 24 IRGs

• Anticipated Program Total Funding Amount:$31,500,000

• Anticipated Funding Amount per IRG:$1,300,000 - $1,350,000

• Award Duration:6 Years

2019-2020 MRSEC CompetitionThere are a few minor differences compared with the previous NSF 16-545 solicitation. These are:(1) Interdisciplinary Research Groups: efforts aligned with the NSF Big

Ideas as well as other research areas of DMR interest are suggested aspossible IRGs research topics;

(2) Preliminary and Full Proposals: MRSEC participants definitions/rolesare clarified and uniform. Changed from senior investigator, seniorparticipants etc. to NSF supported and unsupported Contributorsnamed as Primary and Secondary Participants and PrimaryCollaborators;

(3) Preliminary Proposals: only biosketches for those individuals listed inthe NSF Proposal Cover Page (up to five) are required; other bios willnot be accepted;

(4) Preliminary and Full Proposals: results of prior support can only bereported for individuals, up to five, appearing on the NSF Cover Page.

(5) Proposers should contact the Program Director(s) prior to submission toascertain if the IRG research is suitable for DMR consideration.

IRGs Suggested ResearchProposals are sought that address fundamental, timely and complexmaterials problems that are intellectually challenging, important to society,belonging to or broadening the current MRSEC portfolio, and possiblyaligned with DMR's participation in the NSF Big Ideas:

https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/.

Notably, DMR plays an important role in: Harnessing the Data Revolution;The Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier; Understanding theRules of Life; The Quantum Leap.

Further, potential research topics broadening the current MRSEC portfolioinclude (but not limited to):• Supervised and Unsupervised Machine Learning addressing materials

science complex problems, and in particular as applied to traditionalmaterials science problems in: Ceramics, Metals, Metallic Alloys andothers.

IRGs Possible Research TopicsOther research areas of DMR interest include:• Synthetic Materials Biology: in such an effort biologists and

system engineers work with materials scientists to identifymaterials challenges hindering advancements of SyntheticBiology, as well as to generate new Synthetic Biologyapproaches to materials development i.e., "Materials Biology";

• Structural Materials under Extreme Conditions: this effortaddresses fundamental challenges in ceramic, metallic, andpolymeric materials and their composites for applications underextreme conditions;

• Recyclable Plastics and Alternative Materials for SustainableDevelopment: these efforts could include (i) development ofintrinsically recyclable polymers, (ii) better understanding ofmechanical properties of recycled plastic products, (iii) strategiesto improve the properties of recycled plastics, (iv) materialsalternatives for plastics.

Summary of “Some” Emerging Research Areas of Particular Interest to DMR

Where Materials Begin & Society Benefits

Integrated Tool Development for Materials Synthesis & Characterization

Machine Learning Materials Genome Initiative & Data

(“Capta” (computational data)) Science

Materials Sustainable Development Materials Synthetic Biology Quantum Materials Recyclable Plastics and Alternative

Materials NSF Big Ideas

Chiral nematic

Class of 2014: 12 MRSEC 32 IRGsCLASS of 2014: Brandeis, Chicago,

Colorado, Columbia, Harvard, Minnesota,MIT, Nebraska, NYU, Ohio State, PennState, Princeton.

BMAT CER

CMPEPM

POL

SSMC

Class of 2014 MRSEC Research Portfolio

38% of CMPis SOFT

Class of 2017: 8 MRSEC 19 IRGsCLASS of 2017

Cornell, Northwestern, UC Santa Barbara, U Penn, UTexas-Austin, U Washington, U of Illinois, U ofWisconsin.

SSMC

CMPBMAT/Soft

EPM

POL

CER/MMN

2017 Funded IRGs Research Areas

MRSEC Competition Review• Preliminary proposals will be reviewed by topical

panels: IRGs will be reviewed in topical panels. AMRSEC proposal may be reviewed in 3 differentpanels. Panel advises which IRGs can be consideredfor a full submission. A full proposal will include aminimum of 2 viable IRGs. Early October Invitations.

• Full proposals will be reviewed by ad-hoc mail review.Full proposals with 2 viable IRGs may berecommended for the Reverse Site Visit Review. LateJanuary Invitations.

• A panel of experts will be in attendance at theReverse Site Visit; RSV Panels (2 proposals/panel)will be held in February/March 2020 at NSF.

2019-2020 MRSEC Competition• A MRSEC encompasses 2 to 3 interdisciplinary research groups

(IRGs). Each IRG involves several faculty members (typicallyfrom a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 10 to 12) addressing amajor topic or area where sustained support for interactiveeffort by the several participants of complementarybackgrounds, skills, and knowledge is critical to progress.

• The IRGs in a center may be thematically related, or they mayaddress different aspects of materials research. The MRSEC asa whole is expected to be more than the sum of its IRGs, withthe synergy arising from its common infrastructure, sharedfacilities, education and outreach activities, etc. Each IRG mustbe synergistic and show clear benefits of an interdisciplinaryand collaborative approach to address a major materials topicor area and the linkages between researchers within the IRG.Synergy among IRGs is not required but may be present.

2019-2020 MRSEC Competition Review• MRSEC proposals are evaluated in terms of the IRGs and of the Center as a

whole, using the following additional criteria:Interdisciplinary Research Groups: (Used in evaluating Preliminary and Fullproposals)• Does the IRG describe a well-integrated research program distinguished by

intellectual excellence and driven by a clear vision leading to fundamentaladvances, new discoveries, and/or technological developments that couldhave national and international significance?

• Are the capabilities of the investigators, technical soundness of the proposedapproach, and adequacy of the resources (available or proposed), includinginstrumentation and facilities appropriate for a center?

• Are the benefits of a multi-investigator, interdisciplinary approach to address amajor topic or area normally supported by the Division of Materials Researchfor each IRG clearly laid out? Does cooperation and interdependence of theinvestigators within the IRG come across?

• Is the work of a scope and complexity that requires Center support?• Is the IRG addressing cutting edge science?

2019-2020 MRSEC Competition ReviewThe Center as a Whole: (Used in evaluating Full proposals)• Is the organizational setting and rationale for the center

justified?• Is there potential for stimulating multidisciplinary

interaction and collaborations on campus? Is therepotential for organizational, national, and internationalimpacts.

• Are education/outreach activities consistent with thecenter size? Does the proposed MRSEC research appearwell-integrated with the education activities?

• Does the MRSEC foster increased participation in materialsresearch and education of members of underrepresentedin science and engineering at all academic levels (faculty,post-docs, and students)?

Sample critiquesDoes the IRG describe a well-integrated research program distinguished by intellectual excellence and driven by a clear vision leading to fundamental advances, new discoveries, and/or technological developments that could have national and international significance? It is proposed to study a list of surface and interfacial phenomena in which details of structure at interfaces or surfaces plays a role in functionality. Rather than an integrated interactive team project, the proposal describes a set of parallel projects.Are the capabilities of the investigators, technical soundness of the proposed approach, and adequacy of the resources (available or proposed), including instrumentation and facilities appropriate for a center? The group has leaders in the field, with Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappe being acknowledged leaders in characterization, synthesis and modeling, respectively. Synthesis, characterization and modeling are well integrated, which is a strength. Facilities are outstandingAre the benefits of a multi-investigator, interdisciplinary approach to address a major topic or area normally supported by the Division of Materials Research for each IRG clearly laid out?; Does cooperation and interdependence of the investigators within the IRG come across? Yes, it is clearly stated in the IRG proposal who is collaborating with whom for which project. Or Yes, Different team members will make, model and measure the same set of materials making the interdependence between the investigators very natural Or Cooperation and interdependence of the investigators comes across. However, the team would benefit from having more interdisciplinary members and a detailed plan for assessment. Or It is clear that the proposed work will require a team with the broad combined expertise (theory, simulations, and experimentaltechniques) described. Within each thrust, the cooperation and interdependence of the involved PIs comes across, as well as the theory cross-connection among thrusts. However, as mentioned above, the three thrusts are a bit disconnected, with little involvement of PIs in more than one thrust.Is the IRG addressing cutting edge science? While the proposal appears to address a timely applied research topic (the development of YYYY emitters for deep XXXX imaging), it is not clear that the IRG addresses cutting edge materials science. As noted above, the field of ZZZ is quite mature, and much of the proposed work is on well studied systems.Is the organizational setting and rationale for the center justified? One of the main drawbacks of the MRSEC proposal is that except for one faculty, all of the other IRG investigators emanate from the departments of chemistry and chemical engineering. As such the potential for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary interactions is rather limited. Furthermore, in the strategic vision there is no long-term plan to integrate research activities with other departments. Some of the proposed research topics are of great interest in other fields and this is a missed opportunity that could strengthen the proposed IRGs. The proposal will certainly greatly strengthen departments of chemistry and chemical engineering, but its impact on broader campus environment and beyond is unlikely.Are education/outreach activities consistent with the center size? Does the proposed MRSEC research appear well-integrated with the education activities? Yes, although this part of the proposal was not as strong as I would have liked. Their track record in this area is good, particularly with regard to professional development of teachers, but there is little in this proposal that is really novel. I would have liked to have seen some evidence of truly large-scale impact.Does the MRSEC foster increased participation in materials research and education of members of underrepresented groups in science and engineering at all academic levels (faculty, post-docs, and students)? There is a good overall diversity plan. However, it is not entirely clear in each case how this will be implemented or even mandated. As an example, the proposal states that it will build diversity, '… by making efforts to attract candidates from underrepresented groups to fill….'. Statements like this are somewhat hollow and lack credibility. Perhaps a more concrete statement might have been '…of the four faculty position to be filled, one (or two) will be members of underrepresented groups.’ OrThis MRSEC shows an appropriate commitment to these goals. A diversity strategic plan was provided, although it would be wise to commit some resources to tracking and assessment

THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK!

dfinotel@nsf.gov

Where Materials Begin & Society BenefitsMRSEC WorkshopBrown University

November 8, 2018