Materials Science and Engineering focuses on the discovery of new materials, the tailoring of materials systems for optimum performance in a given technological application, and the design of novel materials solutions for emerging technologies. MSE is an interdisciplinary field incorporating elements of chemistry, physics, biology and/or engineering to derive and control the connections between structure (at length scales ranging from sub-atomic to macroscale), the processing necessary to achieve that structure, the fundamental properties (electrical, optical, thermal, mechanical, etc.), and the performance. These correlations are investigated using advanced materials characterization techniques and theoretical/computational analysis. Many of the most pressing scientific and technological challenges faced by humanity are constrained by the limits of currently available materials. The discovery, design and development of enabling materials is at the core of solving current and future scientific and engineering grand challenges, and benefit industries involved in electronics, advanced sensors, communications, human health, transportation, manufacturing recreation, energy conversion and storage, and environmental sustainability.<br><br>Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is disrupting the manufacturing industry by affording shorter lead times, on-site customization capabilities, and ability to produce parts with complex geometries unattainable by traditional manufacturing processes. Multiple MSE faculty are involved in studying and developing additive manufacturing processes. They also have access to the Institute for Design and Manufacturing Innovation (IDMI) here at UCI. Specific research areas:, Metal additive manufacturing (defects in metal AM, melt pool dynamics, microstructure control, novel materials for metal AM), Ceramic additive manufacturing (additively manufactured ceramics for energy storage), Architected materials (design, fabrication and characterization of micro-architected materials with unique properties), Sustainability and material reuse in AM