What is our logo?
Our MRSEC logo shows the arrangement of atoms at the surface of a crystal. Crystals are made up of layers, or "planes" of atoms, perfectly stacked in an ordered pattern. Because this surface has been cut at a slight angle to the crystal planes, it appears "stepped" (we call this type of surface a vicinal surface). Modern scanned-probe microscopes, such as the STM, allow us to see the atoms at the surface of a crystal, producing images very similar to this one.

University of Maryland

Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

Community Outreach

NISE Network Programs

The University of Maryland’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) is partnering with the Nanoscale Informal Science Education (NISE) Network to bring NanoDays education outreach activities to partner schools, teacher workshops, campus events, and community programs. NanoDays is a week-long event to raise public awareness of nanoscale science and engineering across the U.S. In addition to providing activities for NanoDays, the MRSEC implements nano interactive demonstrations, exciting discussions, and hands-on activities all year including a Nanoscience Summer Camp.