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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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.
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Yu Kambe ’13 honored with inaugural MSE Early Career Achievement Award
The Cornell Department of Materials Science and Engineering is proud to honor Dr. Yu Kambe ’13 with the inaugural MSE Early Career Achievement Award in recognition of exceptional early-career achievements that demonstrate outstanding promise within the first 15 years after graduation from Cornell University in the field of materials science and engineering.
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Schlom elected to NAS
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Cornell receives funding renewal for NORDTECH microelectronics research
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Ralph, Schlom elected to National Academy of Sciences
Physicist Dan Ralph, Ph.D. ’93, and materials scientist Darrell Schlom are Cornell’s 2026 electees to the National Academy of Sciences, the academy announced April 28.