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   Materials Sciences and Engineering                Scientific User Facilities

The Materials Sciences and Engineering subprogram supports basic research in condensed matter physics, metal and ceramic sciences, materials chemistry, and materials engineering.  This research seeks to understand the atomistic basis of materials properties and behavior and how to make materials perform better at acceptable cost through new methods of synthesis and processing.

Basic research is supported in magnetic materials, semiconductors, superconductors, metals, ceramics, alloys, polymers, metallic glasses, ceramic matrix composites, catalytic materials, surface science, corrosion, neutron and x-ray scattering, chemical and physical properties, welding and joining, non-destructive evaluation, electron beam microcharacterization, nanotechnology and microsystems, fluid dynamics and heat transfer in materials, nonlinear systems, and new instrumentation.   This subprogram is a premier sponsor of condensed matter and materials physics in the U.S.  The subprogram also contains the DOE EPSCoR program.

Ultimately the research leads to the development of materials that improve the efficiency, economy, environmental acceptability, and safety in energy generation, conversion, transmission, and use.  For example, the fuel economy in automobiles is directly proportional to the weight of the automobile, and fundamental research on strength of materials has led to stronger, lighter materials, which directly affects fuel economy.  The efficiency of a combustion engine is limited by the temperature and strength of materials, and fundamental research on alloys and ceramics has led to the development of materials that retain their strength at high temperatures.  Research in semiconductor physics has led to substantial increases in the efficiency of photovoltaic materials for solar energy conversion. Fundamental research in condensed matter physics and ceramics has underpinned the development of practical high-temperature superconducting wires for more efficient transmission of electric power. 

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CHEMICAL SCIENCES, GEOSCIENCES, and BIOSCIENCES
   Descriptions of Core Research Activities
 

   Related BES web sites:

   Chemical Sciences                 Geosciences                Energy Biosciences

The Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Energy Biosciences subprogram supports basic research in atomic, molecular and optical science; chemical physics; photochemistry; radiation chemistry; physical chemistry; inorganic chemistry; organic chemistry; analytical chemistry; separation science; heavy element chemistry, geochemistry, geophysics, and physical biosciences.  This research seeks to understand chemical reactivity through studies of the interactions of atoms, molecules, and ions with photons and electrons; the making and breaking of chemical bonds in the gas phase, in solutions, at interfaces, and on surfaces; and energy transfer processes within and between molecules.

Ultimately, this research leads to the development of such advances as efficient combustion systems with reduced emissions of pollutants; new solar photoconversion processes; improved catalysts for clean and efficient production of fuels and chemicals; and better separations and analytical methods for applications in energy processes, environmental remediation, and waste management.

The geosciences activity supports mineral-fluid interactions; rock, fluid, and fracture physical properties; and new methods and techniques for geosciences imaging from the atomic scale to the kilometer scale.  The activity contributes to the solution of problems in multiple DOE mission areas, including reactive fluid flow studies to understand contaminant remediation; seismic imaging for reservoir definition; and coupled hydrologic-thermal-mechanical-reactive transport modeling to predict repository performance.

The bioscience activity supports basic research in molecular-level studies on solar energy capture through natural photosynthesis; the mechanisms and regulation of carbon fixation and carbon energy storage; the synthesis, degradation, and molecular interconversions of complex hydrocarbons and carbohydrates; and the study of novel biosystems and their potential for materials synthesis, chemical catalysis, and materials synthesized at the nanoscale.

This subprogram provides support for chemistry equal to that of the National Science Foundation.  It is the Nation’s sole support for heavy-element chemistry, and it is Nation’s primary support for homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, photochemistry, radiation chemistry, separations and analysis, and gas-phase chemical dynamics.  This subprogram further provides one third of the federal support for individual investigator research in solid earth sciences.

   for Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences staff contacts.