The Center for Dielectric Studies (CDS): A national science foundation industry/university cooperative research center

The Center for Dielectric Studies (CDS) was founded in 1983 at the Materials Research Laboratory on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University (PSU), with grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The Center is a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC). CDS currently has worldwide over 25 member companies, sponsoring research projects aimed at improving the basic understanding of the synthesis, processing, and properties of dielectric materials for electronic devices. The Center plays a leadership role in the development of next generation electronic components and in the creation of scientific training opportunities; to advance the understanding of materials in devices. It contributes to the advancement of passive components through the creation of new materials, new processing methods, high frequency device modeling, measurements, interfacial characterization, and the prototyping of more highly integrated devices. Through the involvement of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, as well as interaction with visiting industrial scientists, the Center advances the education of individuals, enriching industry's human resources. In 2001, CDS formally partnered with the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) to form a new multi-university center under the NSF I/UCRC program. The partnership with UMR brings increased membership and resources to the Center for Dielectric Studies, enabling the Center to expand research programs at the PSU and UMR sites.