February 28, 2025 | Rhonda M. Ward, Institute of Materials Science

UConn’s Institute of Materials Science Celebrates 60 Years of Innovation

'The interdisciplinary and highly collaborative traits of faculty throughout IMS are big drivers in terms of new research projects'

An aerial view of the Science 1 building on a sunny day in Storrs on Aug. 20, 2024.

An aerial view of the Science 1 building on a sunny day in Storrs on Aug. 20, 2024. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

The Institute of Materials Science (IMS) at the University of Connecticut will celebrate its 60th anniversary throughout 2025, beginning with a special seminar series featuring alumni from the IMS Polymer Program, the IMS Materials Science Program, and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

One of the oldest materials science programs in the nation, IMS was established in 1965 by an act of the Connecticut Legislature with a threefold mission to foster education, research, and outreach in the field of materials science. Since its inception, four directors have led IMS. Leonid V. Azaroff was the Institute’s first director and led IMS from 1966 to 1991. Anthony T. DiBenedetto served as director from 1991 to 1995. Harris L. Marcus served from 1995 to 2013. Today, Steven L. Suib serves as director of the Institute and has seen IMS through 12 years of growth.

Steve Suib, director of the Institute of Materials Science, leads elected officials on a tour of the Science 1 Research Center
Steven Suib, director of the Institute of Materials Science, leads elected officials and University leaders on a tour of the Science 1 Research Center on June 15, 2023. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

In fulfillment of its mission to provide educational opportunities in materials science, IMS offers superior graduate research education in the interdisciplinary fields of materials science, polymer science, materials science and engineering, and a certificate program in advanced materials characterization. Its graduates have gone on to become professors, researchers, business owners, and innovators.

With 36 resident faculty members and 95 affiliate members from 20 departments and UConn Health, the Institute represents the spectrum of STEM disciplines. Suib notes that “the interdisciplinary and highly collaborative traits of faculty throughout IMS are big drivers in terms of new research projects. Our excellent administrative and technical staff work very hard to support our faculty members.”

Also under the umbrella of IMS are several centers of excellence and specialized laboratories including the Electrical Insulation Research Center (EIRC), the UConn Thermo Fisher Scientific Center for Advanced Microscopy and Materials Analysis (CAMMA), Collins Aerospace Center for Advanced Materials, the Pratt & Whitney Additive Manufacturing Center (PW AMC), the Reverse Engineering Fabrication & Non-Destructive Evaluation (REFINE) lab, and the X-ray Lab. IMS enjoys a partnership with Anton-Paar, a leader in laboratory equipment manufacturing, which brought one of the company’s most high-end rheometers to IMS.

Through its industry outreach program (the Industrial Affiliates Program or IAP), the Institute offers materials characterization and analysis services to industries throughout the state of Connecticut and beyond. From major corporations to startup operations, the IAP provides many benefits for member and non-member companies, including access to facilities and faculty at UConn, technical programming, and other resources to assist industry partners in resolving materials challenges.

“Several new outstanding leaders from industry, state agencies, law firms, and other entities have joined our External Advisory Board. We have received excellent advice and support from this group,” Suib says.

Originally housed in the Edward V. Gant Science Complex, the Institute eventually outgrew that space and in 2023, moved to the newly built Science 1 Research Center, which had been designed specifically for IMS and the Materials Science and Engineering Department (MSE). The move to Science 1 provided for updated laboratory spaces for faculty labs, eight IMS core labs, a state-of-the-art cleanroom, and four undergraduate teaching labs for MSE student instruction.

“Where you work can make a big difference and this new facility has helped boost the morale of staff, faculty, students, and visitors,” Suib says.  “There are new initiatives and available facilities that have enhanced the educational, research, and outreach activities of IMS.”

The 60th anniversary celebration began on Friday, Feb. 21, with a seminar featuring Arun Mannodi Kanakkithodi ’17 Ph.D., a Materials Science and Engineering Department graduate who is currently an assistant professor of materials engineering at Purdue University.

On Friday, March 14, IMS will welcome Jonathan Doll ’11 Ph.D., a graduate of the IMS Polymer Science Program. Doll currently serves as technology manager for materials physics and chemistry at GE Aerospace Research.

The series will conclude with a seminar on Friday, April 25, featuring Weina Li ’07 Ph.D., a graduate of the IMS Materials Science Program who is currently a technical fellow of non-metallic materials and chemistry at Carrier Global Corporation.  She is also a member of the IMS External Advisory Board.