Materials Science and Materials Engineering are recognized as essential areas of growth for advancement in applications of new devices and materials. The educational program at the university level must be dynamic in nature to keep pace with advances in science and instrumentation. State University of New York at Buffalo has sponsored an interdisciplinary proposal solicitation to promote efforts in the forefront of science. Materials-related efforts are described herein which will lead to improved external funding of research, improved educational programs, more sophisticated instrumentation, high quality graduate students, and high quality faculty.