Background
The Michigan Materials Research Institute (MMRI) was launched as a pilot in AY19–20 by the College of Engineering (CoE), with Professor Alan Taub serving as the inaugural Director. In May 2023, Professor Taub was appointed Director of the Electric Vehicle Center, and Professor Amit Misra, former Chair of the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE), was appointed Faculty Director of MMRI and (MC)².
Professor Max Shtein (MSE) was appointed Associate Director of MMRI in AY23–24. The MMRI Director is appointed by, and reports to, the Associate Dean for Research (ADR) in Michigan Engineering, Eric Michielssen. Operational and incubator grant funding for MMRI is provided by CoE-ADR and the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) – Associate VP for Natural Sciences and Engineering.
Mission
To serve as the foundation that will build the materials research ecosystem at University of Michigan and catalyze formation of interdisciplinary centers of research excellence, major instrumentation and infrastructure, sponsored by federal agencies, industry, and foundations.
Vision
To establish the University of Michigan as a preeminent U.S. institution for engineered materials research.
Strategic Priorities
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Capabilities
- Manage and operate world-class shared research user facilities, such as Michigan Center for Materials Characterization, (MC) 2 .
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Incubator Grants
- Fund faculty teams to incubate new UM-led centers of research excellence in emerging topical areas involving engineered materials.
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Materials Research Ecosystem
- Build a network of interactions and active collaborations among the engineered materials researchers across the university.
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External Partnerships
- Foster research partnerships with industries and national labs in materials research.
Materials Research Community at University of Michigan
Below is a partial list of prestigious, externally sponsored, research centers and multi-investigator, large grants led by MMRI faculty affiliates:
- $18M – NSF: Advancing materials research at U-M
- $30M – U-M to lead complex-particle research center
- $130M – Electric Vehicle Center launch at U-M
- $11M – DOE center for next-generation battery technology
- $11.5M – Eco-friendly ice and snow control technologies
- $10.3M – DARPA SURGE program: Structures Uniquely Resolved to Guarantee Endurance
MMRI regularly sponsors or co-sponsors campus workshops involving MMRI faculty affiliates, industry, and national labs. A recent example is provided below.
Technical Interchange on Materials and Manufacturing for Extreme Environments
May 2024
Organizers: Kathleen Sevener, Chinedum Okwudire, Mirko Gamba
[Click to view (MC)² specific events]