About Us

The Center on Materials and Devices for Information Technology Research (CMDITR) 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.

CMDITR is located at three universities:

• University of Washington
• University of Arizona
• 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. CMDITR researchers are working on the leading edge of these new technologies: light emitting diodes, photovoltaic cells, nano-fabrication, transistors, and optical switching devices.

Program Mission

As an NSF-funded science and technology center, CMDITR 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 Hooked on Photonics, is one way CMDITR 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.

Find out More

Learn more specifics about Hooked on Photonics on the Program Details page.

Download the 2010 Flyer (pdf)

Contact Us

CMDITR REU Program Office
University of Washington
Department of Chemistry
BOX 351700
Seattle, WA 98195-1700
206-616-9441
reu@stc-mditr.org