Due to the intrinsically interdisciplinary nature of the work described, it is found to be ideally suited to a center mode environment. Special attention therefore continues to be focused on those areas that will particularly benefit from collaborative, innovative, center-style research. A strong track record of breaking ground in new fields of basic science, of transferring successful technologies to the commercial sector, and of providing students with an unparalleled environment for multidisciplinary education and research, is the hallmark by which the Center will continue to attempt distinguishing itself. The Visiting Fellows program at CUOS was initiated in 1993 to encourage national utilization of center facilities by scientists and engineers. In this way, it is possible to broaden the scope of science activities in CUOS and foster wider interdisciplinary collaborations.
Sabbatical visitors are typically on one-year research leave from their home universities.
They are given visiting professor status in physics, chemistry, or engineering, and they have offices and share laboratory space in the Center. The position of Center Fellow is patterned after the Michigan Society of Fellows. These are typically appointments of 1-3 years that are provided to young independent scientists. Several have gone on to faculty positions or jobs at national laboratories or in industry. Visiting Scholars are scientists who come to collaborate with other scientists in the Center.