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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today announced that the University of Michigan will receive $18 million for a new Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) to build a campus-wide ecosystem of researchers to work on material solutions to current challenges facing society.
 
The new Center for Materials Innovations at Michigan will work to advance materials research for more efficient computing—potentially room temperature quantum computing—and recyclable rigid plastics, among other projects. The center will also aim to broaden participation in materials research through year-round opportunities for students and teachers.
 
"The University of Michigan continues to be at the forefront of evolving technology to promote sustainability and address the most urgent issues we face," said Dingell. "This funding will provide substantial opportunity for major discovery in order to better equip our country to tackle climate change and to remain competitive on the world stage in science and innovation."
 
"NSF's Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers will help us seize new opportunities in semiconductors, biotech, quantum information and more, addressing the needs of our society and advancing critical emerging technologies," said NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. "They will do so by expanding and enriching the ecosystem of innovation across our country." 
 
“By the year 2030, IT is expected to utilize 30% of all electrical energy. This is clearly not sustainable,” said Rachel Goldman, U-M professor of materials science and engineering, who leads the new Center for Materials Innovation at Michigan. “Likewise, we’ve all seen photos of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch—plastics in the ocean. This is, in part, because only some thermoplastics are recyclable. Our center will help address both of these grand challenges.”
 
"Since the 1970s, NSF's Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers have yielded countless breakthroughs, from shape-morphing materials to plastics that conduct electricity," said NSF Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Sean L. Jones. "Our current centers continue that proud tradition and provide the essential catalyst — born in the materials lab — which ignites American innovations that propel our country's scientific and economic leadership." 
 
Learn more about the new Center for Materials Innovation at Michigan here. Learn more about the NSF’s grants for MRSECs here, and the $18 million awarded to the University of Michigan here. 
 
The National Science Foundation supports research, innovation, and discovery at America’s colleges and universities by distributing federal grants. On average, NSF awards approximately 11,000 new grants each year to individuals or small research teams after a rigorous review process.