We discover new high temperature superconducting-, energy- and nano- materials, advance their applications in partnerships with industry, and disseminate knowledge through education, outreach, and technology transfer for the benefit of the public and the environment.

TcSUH represents the largest multidisciplinary university superconductivity and advanced materials research effort in the United States, with over 200 faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students, housed in the $22.5 million Houston Science Center and several other buildings on the University of Houston Campus. The Center has personnel from the departments of chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering that create and develop high temperature superconducting and advanced materials and further their fundamental understanding, and energy and nanoscale materials and applications. The Center disseminates fundamental and applied knowledge through extensive education and outreach programs.

The Center encompasses three major research divisions. Superconductivity and Related Materials explore the fundamental aspects of HTS and related materials, and has applied programs in biomedical technologies, HTS wire characterization and development, and devices for communications, transportation, space, and defense. Energy Materials and Applications conducts collaborative research in the area of fuel cells, ion transport membranes, and energy transmission and storage for energy production, distribution and utilization. Nanoscale Materials and Applications has programs in nanomagnetics, inorganic nanomaterials, binano materials, and organic films nanocomposites. A new Seed Projects Initiative provides initial support for innovative projects to capture new developments in science and engineering, and eleven new faculty members from chemistry, physics, and engineering were funded for FY06. Each program has strong alliances with U.S. and international universities, industrial partners, and medical institutions.

Training the next generation of scientists and engineers is central to TcSUH's mission. The Center's extensive education and outreach activities support science education at the graduate, undergraduate, elementary, and secondary school levels through programs that provide opportunities for student research, disseminate current superconductivity and complex materials research and applications, encourage students to pursue science and engineering careers, and enhance elementary and secondary science and teacher professional development.

The high temperature superconductivity heritage of TcSUH stems from the breakthrough discovery of superconductivity above liquid nitrogen temperature by Paul Chu and co-workers. This work continues in TcSUH in the search for new high temperature superconductors, the theoretical understanding of high temperature superconductivity, and the application of high temperature superconductivity to the nation's electrical, medical, transportation, and communications needs.