The Materials Research and Education Consortium (MRE-C), a partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) and the University of Washington (UW) Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), is dedicated to advancing materials science to address critical challenges in clean energy and sustainability. These challenges are particularly pressing for geographically isolated island communities like Hawaiʻi, which face heavy reliance on imported fuels, resource and waste management issues, soil erosion, and ocean contamination exacerbated by climate change. By leveraging the expertise of diverse researchers, the MRE-C aims to foster key breakthroughs that will contribute to the resilience and sustainability of these communities.

This partnership is uniquely positioned to increase the participation of Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders in STEM fields, addressing the underrepresentation of these groups in materials science. At UHM, where Native Hawaiians make up 16% of the population (compared to just 0.2% on the U.S. mainland), the program seeks to recruit, retain, and graduate diverse cohorts of students. Through the M.O.R.E. (Mentoring, Outreach, Research, and Education) approach, the initiative will train more than 60 undergraduate and graduate scientists and engineers for the growing materials science and STEM workforce.

In addition to enhancing research capacity in clean energy and sustainability, the MRE-C partnership will integrate cultural knowledge and insights into materials education, aligning with UHM’s role as a Hawaiian Place of Learning. The introduction of new materials science courses and workshops will broaden the academic experience for students and open new career pathways. Furthermore, K-12 outreach efforts aim to create a lasting impact, with materials science curricula remaining in schools beyond the outreach periods to ensure the growth of STEM pathways for future generations.

The collaboration will combine UHM’s strengths in materials synthesis and specialized techniques such as X-ray diffraction and hydrogen sorption with UW’s advanced resources for automating research processes and large data set analysis. The partnership also includes in-person and virtual exchanges to facilitate the transfer of expertise and resources, enhancing UHM’s research culture and capabilities. The program’s comprehensive approach to clean energy and sustainability research, coupled with its emphasis on place-based education, positions it as a model for addressing global challenges through localized solutions.

This project is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) with co-funding from the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and Sustainable Chemistry from the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI).