History & Mission
The International Union of Materials Research Societies was established in 1991 as an international association of technical groups or societies which have an interest in promoting interdisciplinary materials research and education.
- Facilitate international cooperation among materials research organizations
- Contribute to the advancement of materials research in all its aspects
- Advance the multidisciplinary nature of materials research internationally
- Promote information exchange among national or regional societies with interests in interdisciplinary materials research and work to coordinate their activities
- Promote communication of international materials research activities through appropriate media
- Encourage well established materials research symposia to rotate through available meeting sites of materials research societies.
- Foster the establishment of national or regional groups or societies whose primary interest is in interdisciplinary materials research
- Provide information to developing materials research societies or groups concerning services that may be available from established societies or groups
- Organize and provide sponsorship for international materials research meetings and related events, such as workshops, summer schools, topical meetings, etc., on subjects falling within the scope of the Union
- Set up commissions or committees for special projects
- Participate in collaborative projects and activities with other scientific bodies in matters of interest to the Union.
Foundations
1991 – Present
Adhering Bodies
The Founding members were subsequently joined by MRS Russia, MRS Singapore, MRS Korea, MRS Brazil, and MRS Africa.
Professional Affiliates
This category of membership was established in 2002. It was intended to provide a path of communication and collaboration between institutions and organizations with Materials Research interests all over the world. Affiliates included national laboratories in the U.S. and in Europe, and research institutions in Asia. This program is now expanding fast to embrace many independent organizations world-wide.
Meetings
Series of International Technical Meetings that are hosted by individual Adhering Bodies, with IUMRS endorsement and cooperation have become fixtures in the Materials Calendar. They include the International Conference on Electronic Materials (ICEM), International Conference on Advanced Materials (ICAM), International Conference in Asia (ICA), and International Conference of Young Researchers for Advanced Materials (ICYRAM).
Awards
To promote excellence in materials research, international collaboration, leadership and encourage young researchers, IUMRS presents three major prizes on a regular basis. The Somiya Award recognizes distinguished international collaborative materials research. The Global Leadership and Service Award honours individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership through service, having measurable impact to the global community, relating to materials connected research and education, serving multi and interdisciplinary fields. The IUMRS - MRS-Singapore Young Researcher Award was established with initial support from MRS Singapore, and recognizes research excellence by early career young researchers.
Publications
The Quarterly Newsletter “Facets” was first published in 2002, as a high level print journal presenting news and reviews representing the status of the Materials Research enterprise, worldwide. It was developed and edited by Elton Kaufmann, at his offices at Argonne National Lab. “Facets” developed a substantial subscribership, and it also served as a flagship publication for IUMRS and as a member benefit for Adhering Bodies and Institutional Affiliates. Its publication was suspended in 2006, due to the cost of production, with the intent to create a fully electronic equivalent, to more effectively serve the broad international community. Since 2010, IUMRS has collaborated with C-MRS in publication of the research journal Progress in Natural Sciences: Materials International. The journal publishes original research, covering all aspects of new materials and technologies.
ICSU Membership
In 2005, sensing its readiness for this elevated international involvement, IUMRS made formal application for Full International Scientific Union Member status in ICSU (The International Council for Science). ICSU had just 29 such International Union Members. At the ICSU General Assembly Meeting that year, the IUMRS application was accepted with acclaim. IUMRS has since been studying projects conducted by the International Science Council (ISC, successor to ICSU). IUMRS considers that it has a unique and substantial role to play in such top-tier projects addressing globally important science issues.
R.P.H. (Bob) Chang, MRS
Paul Siffert, E-MRS
Masao Doyama, MRS-J
