Skip to main content

News

News

Director Javier Read de Alaniz Named AAAS Fellow

Mar 31, 2026
Director Javier Read de Alaniz of UCSB has been elected a 2025 AAAS Fellow, joining UCSB colleagues. AAAS honors scientists for advancing fields and public good. Read de Alaniz is recognized for designing stimuli-responsive organic materials that change optical properties under visible light, enabling smart materials and energy-efficient technologies.
Director Javier Read de Alaniz Named AAAS Fellow
news

BioPACIFIC MIP Expands Capabilities with Move to UCSB’s OASIS Facility

Mar 21, 2026
BioPACIFIC MIP’s UCSB labs moved to OASIS, a 105,000-sq-ft innovation hub for advanced materials R&D, prototyping, and scale-up. Most instruments relocated; SAXS, microrheology, and texture tools stay at CNSI. The OASIS–CNSI partnership enables seamless synthesis, analysis, and translation from discovery to deployment.
BioPACIFIC MIP Expands Capabilities with Move to UCSB’s OASIS Facility
News

2DCC-MIP Collaboration Expands Undergraduate Research at Kenyon College

Jan 18, 2026

Frank Peiris, professor of physics at Kenyon College, is leveraging the capabilities of the 2D Crystal Consortium–Materials Innovation Platform (2DCC-MIP) at Penn State to engage undergraduates in cutting-edge studies of thin-film growth and electronic structure.

2DCC-MIP Collaboration Expands Undergraduate Research at Kenyon College
News

Q&A: Growing Novel Ultra-Pure Materials for Tomorrow’s Electronics

Jan 9, 2026
Jamie Oberdick profiles Qihua 'David' Zhang, a Penn State 2DCC postdoc advancing chalcogenide materials (S, Se, Te with metals) for electronics. Using molecular beam epitaxy in ultra-high vacuum, he achieves pristine, precise films. The 2DCC and Stephanie Law foster collaboration. Zhang aims to reveal new properties to enable future devices.
Q&A: Growing Novel Ultra-Pure Materials for Tomorrow’s Electronics
News

2DCC-MIP User Engages Undergraduate Researchers in Computational Studies of Metal Chalcogenides

Nov 18, 2025

Kate Plass, Professor of Chemistry at Franklin & Marshall College, is expanding research and educational opportunities for undergraduates through her group’s collaboration with the 2D Crystal Consortium–Materials Innovation Platform (2DCC-MIP) at Penn State.

2DCC-MIP User Engages Undergraduate Researchers in Computational Studies of Metal Chalcogenides
News

UC Santa Barbara, UCLA’s BioPACIFIC MIP earns renewed NSF support to accelerate AI-driven biobased materials innovation

Aug 21, 2025

The U.S. National Science Foundation has renewed funding for BioPACIFIC MIP — Biomaterials, Polymers and Advanced Constructs from Integrated Chemistry Materials Innovation Platform — a collaboration between UC Santa Barbara and UCLA that provides a unique scientific ecosystem for the United States. This $19.8 million renewal empowers BioPACIFIC MIP to continue advancing the frontier of biobased materials, uniting synthetic biology, chemistry, automation and artificial intelligence to reshape how materials are discovered, designed and deployed.

UC Santa Barbara, UCLA’s BioPACIFIC MIP earns renewed NSF support to accelerate AI-driven biobased materials innovation
News

Collect plasmids — fast, easy and consistently — with BioPACIFIC MIP at UCLA Automated System

Jul 29, 2025
The BioPACIFIC MIP at UCLA offers an automated high-throughput system for isolating plasmid DNA from microbes. This platform enhances efficiency in research across biotechnology and life sciences, processing up to 96 minipreps simultaneously with minimal human intervention. Researchers can achieve high-purity plasmids swiftly, supporting various applications.
Collect plasmids — fast, easy and consistently — with BioPACIFIC MIP at UCLA Automated System
news

Tools of Discovery: How new equipment is powering research breakthroughs at Penn State

Jul 25, 2025
Penn State's advanced lab tools, including a unique double-crucible vertical Bridgman furnace and in situ testing capabilities, are enabling breakthroughs in materials science. These innovations allow researchers to grow ultra-pure crystals and study material behaviors in real-world conditions, paving the way for future technologies like advanced computing and flexible electronics.
Tools of Discovery: How new equipment is powering research breakthroughs at Penn State
news

World’s first 2D, non-silicon computer developed

Jun 13, 2025
Researchers at Penn State have developed a CMOS computer using two-dimensional materials, marking a significant advancement in semiconductor technology. Unlike silicon, these materials maintain performance at atomic thickness. This innovation could lead to faster, energy-efficient electronics, emphasizing the potential of 2D materials over traditional silicon in future computing.
World’s first 2D, non-silicon computer developed
news

Heather Maynard elected to the National Academy of Sciences

Apr 29, 2025
UCLA Professor Heather Maynard has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, recognizing her significant contributions to polymer chemistry and biomaterials. This honor highlights her impact on the scientific community and her dedication to innovation, aligning with BioPACIFIC MIP's mission.
Heather Maynard elected to the National Academy of Sciences
NSF Logo

This website is maintained collaboratively by teams supported by the Materials Innovation Platform awards, independent of the NSF. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this website are those of the team(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the participating institutions.