The Center for Nanoscopic Materials Design

The Center for Nanoscopic Materials Design was established at the University of Virginia in September 2000 as one of four new National Science Foundation-sponsored Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC). This Center seeks to define broad new directions in the nanoscale design and control of self-assembled epitaxial semiconductor quantum dots, by providing new algorithms for understanding and controlling the coupling of short, medium, and long-range order in these structures. By combining fundamental understanding and control of short-range self assembly phenomena with long-range pattern definition techniques, broad applications to quantum-engineered semiconductor devices, nanoscale structuring of gels, biological templating, and control of electrotechnical reactions may be enabled. The research programs will be integrated with educational initiatives that are designed to enhance learning at a wide range of educational institutions. This Center will also act as the hub for a broad network of external collaborations with industrial, university and government laboratories, ensuring national and international impact on materials research and education in this field.