Student Programs

About Us

Center Overview
The Center on Materials and Devices for Information Technology Research (MDITR) is part of a major National Science Foundation funded initiative that focuses on the science of photonics and its applications in materials science and information technology.

The MDITR is centered at three universities: University of Washington, University of Arizona, and Georgia Institute of Technology.

In contrast to electronics, which deals with the transfer and storage of information using electricity, photonics involves the use of light to control, transmit and manipulate information.

Advances in the science of photonics have the potential to vastly increase available bandwidth, allowing for ultra-fast communications over a new optically based network. MDITR researchers are working on the leading edge of these new technologies: light emitting diodes, photovoltaic cells, nano-fabrication, transistors, and optical switching devices.

Hooked on Photonics Program Mission
As an NSF funded science and technology center, the MDITR is committed to creating new opportunities for interdisciplinary, hands on education as well as a better trained, diverse workforce in the area of materials and devices for information technology.

The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program entitled Hooked on Photonics, is one way the MDITR accomplishes these goals. By facilitating research experiences for undergraduates amongst groups with diverse research capabilities and interests, the REU program provides new, novel learning experiences that can play a key role in encouraging students to continue with graduate work in photonics.

Download the 2008 Flyer (pdf)