Research Collaborations
The Department of Materials, Design and Innovation forges critical partnerships with organizations and community groups across the globe to ensure that our research activities have the greatest impact.
Our cross-disciplinary labs promote cooperative research environments, and our industry connections advance innovations in materials design in Buffalo and beyond.
BioXFEL: an NSF Science and Technology Center
Biology with X-ray Free Electron Lasers (BioXFEL) is a Science and Technology Center established by the National Science Foundation in 2013 and led by Professor Edward Snell. Composed of eight U.S. research universities, BioXFEL is aimed at addressing the fundamental questions in biology at the molecular level.
Using a pulsed hard X-ray laser, researchers can capture biological molecules in atomic detail, view their functional motions by taking brief snapshots, and observe interactions in their native environment. This opens up a new world to biology, to science, and to human health.
Applications include photosynthesis, enzyme function at the atomic level and drug delivery proteins.
CoRE: Collaboratory for a Regenerative Economy
CoRE is a research and education partnership led by SUNY Distinguished Professor Krishna Rajan, with non-governmental and community outreach organizations that brings together complementary expertise – in research, market analysis, policy formulation, and social innovation -- to support the transition towards a safer materials economy. Research activities in CoRE translates cutting-edge discoveries in materials science and engineering to develop innovative and transformative approaches to design data-driven green manufacturing processes that will reduce the use of toxic chemicals and/or those derived from fossil fuels in a variety of manufacturing industries.
Industry Scholar Residence Program
Our program hosts scientists and engineers from companies for long term collaborations to pursue research tailored to industrial needs. By residing within the Materials Design and Innovation department, we provide an opportunity for industrial researchers to have an immersive experience with the data intensive research developed here.