Research

The University of Oregon has a history of materials science education and research through the Materials Science Institute. Our faculty receive millions of dollars in funding to investigate solutions to some of society’s most pressing problems, from decarbonization to clean energy production and storage.

35
MATERIALS SCIENCE RESEARCH FACULTY
100
PHD STUDENTS
$18M
IN RESEARCH FUNDING

Research Across Disciplines

The Materials Science and Technology program is interdisciplinary by nature, bringing together faculty from the Physics and Chemistry and Biochemistry departments who collaborate across disciplines. Our faculty founded the Materials Science Institute and the Oregon Center for Electrochemistry, both of which have been instrumental in launching technology careers and leading innovative research in materials science. Our affiliated centers and institutes include:


Research Facilities

Modern research instrumentation is an integral part of cutting-edge science. Our faculty and students conduct research in world-class materials characterization and advanced fabrication facilities.



News

COMPUTER SCIENCE - Over the past few terms, computer science professors Hank Childs and Aye Thuzar have been working on reworking the entry level computer science class, “Fluency with Information Technology,” to incorporate AI-assisted programming. The idea is that allowing AI to take care of smaller details — like accurate syntax — allows students to cover more ground in a single introductory class.
PHYSICS -At the University of Oregon’s Institute for Fundamental Science, a growing number of faculty have earned prestigious honors from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, which signal both individual excellence and the institute’s positive research trajectory. The most recent winner is CAS physicist Tien-Tien Yu, who received an NSF CAREER Award followed by the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
PHYSICS - A supermassive black hole with a case of cosmic indigestion has been burping out the remains of a shredded star for four years — and it’s still going strong, new research led by University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences astrophysicist Yvette Cendes. Cendes and her team published findings about this one-of-kind black hole in the Feb. 5 issue of Astrophysical Journal Astrophysicists.