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

News

• [05/01/09] 2009 Summer Programs Now Available
  

  Information about the University of Maryland MRSEC's 2009 Summer Camp Programs has been posted. Please see the Summer Programs page in the Education section for details.

• [04/24/09] Associate Director Receives Dean's Award for Excellence
  

  MRSEC Associate Director Donna Hammer was awarded the prestigious 2009 College of Computer, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences (CMPS) Dean's Award for Excellence at the CMPS 21^st Annual Spring Academic Festival on Friday, April 24, 2009.

• [01/05/09] KidSpy^TM Workshop: "Operation Night Spy: Espionage in the Dark" Co-sponsored by MRSEC & the International Spy Museum
  

  MRSEC is co-sponsoring its third annual "Operation Night Spy" KidSpy^TM Workshop for ages 10-13 at the International Spy Museum on Thursday, February 28 from 7PM to 9PM. Registration and details can be found at the Spy Museum website. Or print a flyer and invite a friend!

  Operation Night Spy: The cloak of darkness is a spy's best friend! By the light of day, spies can be easily exposed and missions go awry. But when the sun sets and shadows emerge, espionage is the name of the game. Explore the tricks of the trade that enable spies to operate under the cover of darkness. From infrared night goggles to ultraviolet-light secret messages, young recruits will try their hand at creating and using tools that will help them spy in the shadows. With scientists from the University of Maryland by their side demonstrating cool technology and materials, mission failure will not be an option. Will KidSpy recruits see their way through? Will darkness help or hurt them? Only those with top secret access to Operation Night Spy will discover the answers to these questions.