The Ames Laboratory, managed and operated by ISU under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy, is the oldest and largest of the IPRT centers. The Lab's origins lie in the World War II Manhattan Project when ISU scientists developed an efficient process for purifying large quantities of uranium. Today, in addition to its traditional materials synthesis and chemistry expertise, the Lab has programs in environmental restoration, waste management, and high-performance computing. Several of IPRT's other centers developed from Ames Lab programs and remain closely affiliated with the Lab. These technologies include new magnetic materials and materials utilized in the electronics industry, computer animation software, analytical instruments used in chemical research and utility applications and flexible film photovoltaic cells.
Commercialization is also under way for a variety of other products and materials.
The Materials Preparation Center prepares samples of palladium-cobalt alloy for an innovative prostate treatment. Over the last three years, more than 60 percent of the patents issued on ISU inventions have involved IPRT center activity. Through its outreach programs, IPRT provides technical assistance to Iowa business and industry. Matching funds for research and development are available to eligible companies. To complement its research functions, IPRT participates in the training of undergraduate and graduate students, supports yearly internships for women in science and engineering and manages Science Bound.