Everything is made of something.
Making a more sustainable and healthier world starts with imagining new materials. Everything from renewable energy to medical devices to consumer electronics can be advanced by improving the materials they are made from.
Our Programs
Studying the properties of materials and their applications is ideal for those who are excited to work at the forefront of industries like electronics, energy, and healthcare.
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Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Build a strong foundation through hands-on labs, modern facilities, and a senior research or design experience.
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Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
A one-year, non-thesis degree focused on industry-ready skills and applied learning.
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Master of Science (M.S.)
A two-year, thesis-based program centered on research, specialization, and academic rigor.
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Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Advanced, interdisciplinary research training for students pursuing original contributions to the field.
Strategic Areas of Research
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Bioinspired Materials and Systems
Bioinspired composites, engineered protein films for adhesion, lubrication and sensing applications, molecular tools for in-vitro and in-vivo imaging, and biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery.
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Electronics and Photonics
Oxide semiconductors, 3D integration, materials beyond silicon, high K and low K dielectrics, plasmonics, spintronics and multiferroics.
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Energy Production and Storage
Photocatalysis, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, phononics, batteries and supercapacitors.
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Green Technologies
We have targeted green composites and new systems for CO2 capture and conversion as areas of future growth.
News Highlights
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Researchers make moiré 2D materials without stacking, twisting
Cornell researchers have developed a new way to create moiré patterns – atomic-scale structures that can give materials unusual quantum behaviors – without relying on the twisting and stacking methods traditionally used.
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Quantum facility advances with $13.5M from Duffield Engineering
The buildout of a 10,000-square-foot quantum research facility at Cornell is advancing with a new $10 million investment from the Cornell Duffield College of Engineering, with an additional $3.5 million announced to support collaborative research projects.
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Cornell CAT convenes researchers, industry to accelerate life sciences innovation
At a daylong event designed to promote academic-industry collaboration, Cornell’s Center for Advanced Technology in Life Science Enterprise cast itself as both a funder of early-stage research and catalyst accelerating connections that move discoveries foward.
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Students and alumni honored at eleventh annual Distinguished Awards Gala
During a reception and poster session held on May 8th at Baker Portico in the Physical Sciences Building, students presented their research to industry partners, faculty, and peers. After a reception and remarks from Department Chair, Lara Estroff, awards were presented to students in seven different categories.
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Glen Wilk ’90 honored with MSE Distinguished Career Achievement Award
The Cornell Department of Materials Science and Engineering is proud to honor Dr. Glen Wilk ’90 with the 2026 MSE Distinguished Career Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding career as a leader in industry.