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The Materials Engineering and Processing (MEP) program supports fundamental research addressing the processing and performance of engineering materials by investigating the interrelationship of materials processing, structure, properties and/or life-cycle performance for targeted applications.
Materials processing proposals should focus on manufacturing processes that convert material into a useful form as either intermediate or final composition. These include processes such as extrusion, molding, casting, forming, deposition, sintering and printing. Proposed research should include the consideration of cost, performance, and feasibility of scale-up, as appropriate. Novel processes for the production of nanoscale materials (nanotubes, nanocrystals, etc.) are of interest. Process optimization studies without a fundamental scientific contribution are not supported. Research approaches which exploit knowledge of biological processes for the processing of non-biological materials, as well as the utilization of advanced computing techniques to enable major advances in Materials Engineering and Processing are encouraged.
Research proposals related to mechanical performance should be driven by a targeted application(s). Structural materials that, in service, bear mechanical load are of interest. These include materials such as metals, polymers, composites, biomaterials, ceramics and hybrids intended for applications ranging from the microscale (e.g., MEMS) to the macroscale (e.g., fiber reinforced composites). Research related to the deterioration of performance during service (e.g., corrosion and degradation) is also of interest.
For info and to apply visit https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=504950
