Center: Harvard Materials Research Science and Engineering Center

Nontechnical Description The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Harvard University focuses on cutting-edge materials research in soft materials, which include organometallics (organic compounds that contain a direct bond between a metal atom and a carbon atom), proteins, hydrogels (bulk networks of cross-linked polymers that can absorb and retain massive amounts of water), and vesicles that are soft and easily deformable. These materials are of significant interest for applications ranging from biotechnology to solid-state cooling. The Center consists of two interdisciplinary research groups (IRGs). IRG 1 leverages artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies to establish new foundational machine learning models and automated experimentation platforms to understand and control the phase behavior of functional molecular and complex, multi-molecular materials. IRG 2 also employs foundational AI techniques to develop the fundamental knowledge required to create new classes of microscopic hydrogels and asymmetric vesicles with emergent properties for applications ranging from cell encapsulation to bioprinting. The Center provides intellectual rigor and broad training to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows through its strong mentorship and vibrant cadre of educational and outreach partnerships and activities. The MRSEC fosters a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy through extensive industrial collaborations and formation of start-up companies that create new high-tech jobs based directly on NSF support. Technical Description The Harvard MRSEC supports highly collaborative, multidisciplinary research at the forefront of soft matter science. The Center’s research activities are organized into two interdisciplinary research groups. The first research group is developing machine learning models, molecular dynamics simulations, and automated experimentation platforms to understand and control complex phase transitions in molecular and supramolecular materials. Inverse design is used to create materials with enhanced thermal, porosity, and biological functionality for targeted applications. The second research group is establishing design rules, machine learning models, and microfluidic-based experimentation platforms needed to rapidly create and characterize architected microgels, vesicles, and dense assemblies for biotechnology applications, including cell encapsulation, enzyme screening, drug delivery, and bioprinting. The MRSEC supports seed projects to enable rapid response to emerging discoveries. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.