On March 20-22, 2012, ten members of a National Science Foundation (NSF)-led Site Visit Team (SVT) conducted a sixth-year review of MIRTHE. The NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) program, of which MIRTHE is a part, is monitored largely through an annual review process; reviews in years three and six are particularly significant in that they place more emphasis on a Center's cumulative achievements, as well as its vision for the future.

Day 1 began with an overview of MIRTHE and its programs given by MIRTHE director Claire Gmachl. This was followed by detailed presentations on MIRTHE's three research Thrusts, which discussed respective Thrust goals, progress, collaborative and technology transfer efforts, and future plans. A significant portion of the afternoon was dedicated to a poster session exhibiting student and post-doc research; among other things, this activity presented the strong interconnectedness of MIRTHE's research and education objectives. The day concluded with a focus on MIRTHE's industrial outreach program, including a presentation by Industrial Liaison Bernadeta Wysocka and a closed session between the SVT and MIRTHE's Industrial Advisory Board (IAB). Read more...

Students and post-docs displayed their work to the SVT, industry, faculty, and fellow students at the poster session on Day 1. (Photo by Bernadeta Wysocka)