Arkansas Materials Institute to Advance Materials Science

The University of Arkansas is launching a new research institute to advance the future of materials science and engineering.

By combining leading-edge research, innovative degree programs and world-class facilities, the Arkansas Materials Institute will transform materials research into real-world solutions for industry, society and the state of Arkansas.

“The Arkansas Materials Institute joins two of our university's greatest strengths into a single team: the Nano Institute, whose facilities anchor materials research across campus, and the Materials Science and Engineering graduate program, which has been training scientists and engineers for nearly 30 years,” said Hugh Churchill, director of the Arkansas Materials Institute and professor of physics.

“Together we can do far more than either could alone,” he said, “from competing for major federal research centers to bringing materials education to undergraduates here for the first time. This institute is built to grow, and I’m grateful to my predecessor and mentor, Greg Salamo, for putting us in a great position to do that."

Focusing on five research areas, the Arkansas Materials Institute will expand the state’s capabilities in:

• Artificial intelligence
• Quantum materials
• Energy
• Biosystems
• Electronics and photonics

“The Arkansas Materials Institute will deliver research and breakthrough technologies in the university’s priority research area of materials and semiconductors,” said Margaret Sova McCabe, vice chancellor for research and innovation. “The institute will further enhance our impact through its collaboration with the Fulbright College and the College of Engineering, researchers across campus, and industry throughout the state and beyond.”

Empowering the Next Generation

Beyond research, the Arkansas Materials Institute is central to the university’s academic mission. The Materials Science and Engineering graduate program offers master’s and doctoral degrees designed to prepare students for leadership roles in academia, national labs and industry. Additionally, an undergraduate minor in materials science provides students with foundational knowledge and cleanroom experience to design the technologies of tomorrow.

Provost Indrajeet Chaubey added, “The new institute will provide our students with experiential learning and research opportunities that are central to a life-transformative education.  These experiences will prepare our graduates to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy, excel in their careers and contribute to research, innovation and discovery across Arkansas, advancing our land-grant mission.”

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Training

The institute provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, including:

• The Materials Institute Cleanroom, supporting advanced research, education and innovation in semiconductor processing, device fabrication and related technologies, and
• The Characterization Facility, offering world-class analytical services to the U of A, with cutting-edge capabilities in high-resolution imaging, spectroscopy and sample preparation that support advanced materials research.

In addition, the institute leverages other advanced campus facilities to deliver solutions through affiliations with:

• The MonArk NSF Quantum Foundry,
• The National Multi-User Silicon Carbide Research Fab,
• The High-Density Electronics Center, and
• The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research.

The facilities are supported by expert staff who provide hands-on training in instrumentation and analysis for both academic and industry use.

Collaborate With the Arkansas Materials Institute

For more information about the Arkansas Materials Institute, its research, industry partnerships, academic offerings or facilities, please visit materials.uark.edu.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy  through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.