The Center is engaged in a number of educational activities from the graduate to the middle school level, including support for workshops for middle and high school science teachers, and support for production of science videos. The interdisciplinary program includes investigation of functional biomolecular materials, carbon nanotube-derived materials and structures, microscale soft materials, and multifunctional complex oxides. The educational outreach program seeks the training of teachers, and will foster collaborations with the Franklin Institute and local public radio stations. A common theme running through the center's research is synthesizing mesoscopically structured, complex materials by a variety of approaches. This center is a partnership among groups from Stanford, IBM Almaden Research Center, and the University of California-Davis.
Research addresses the interfacial science of organic thin films.
Potential applications include optical and electro-optical devices, lubrication, and adhesion. The center has extensive and close ties to industry and international partners. The educational program encourages undergraduates to be actively involved in all aspects of thermal spray research. The Center has a vigorous educational program from the graduate to the elementary school level, including ndergraduate programs to enhance participation of women and underrepresented minorities in science, a model high school program which actively incorporates outstanding students into the research process, and new activities at the elementary school level which seek to develop and apply inquiry-based modules. Industrial and academic partners are closely integrated into the research plan.