Helping Boise State Answer Industry’s Call for a Broad-Based, Technically Fluent Workforce
Micron Center for Materials Research
Hoffman’s lab building expertise helps create the Micron Center for Materials Research, a new home for Boise State engineering students who seek to make important contributors across a wide range of scientific disciplines.
The new BSU Micron Center for Materials Research enables materials science and engineering students to make important contributions across many scientific disciplines, including manufacturing technology, new materials, cancer research, energy studies, space and aeronautics, and the development of new sensors and microelectronic devices. The 85,000 SF, four-story building has a 25-inch concrete foundation to provide a vibration-free structure as a stable platform for world-class equipment.
Challenge
Currently the Micron School of Materials has operated in the BSU engineering building since 2002, which was not specifically designed to accommodate materials research.
Solution
The Micron Center for Materials Research is a world class materials science facility that showcases Boise State’s unique materials science program. The building is a research hub for materials science and is used to optimize connections to other programs and corporate partners. And, most importantly, it is a gateway project for the program and the university by being a cornerstone development in this new precinct of campus.
Not only will this center further differentiate Boise State University, but a program of this stature also will create new knowledge that is vital to growing high-tech, science, and engineering-related industries.Bob Kustra President, Boise State University
Project Story
Materials science involves products made with metals, ceramics, and rubber that will be used in creating next-generation materials for self-driving cars and artificial intelligence, including nanotechnology. The building will include more than 40 research laboratories, state-of-the-art teaching spaces, a 250-seat lecture hall, two 80-seat classrooms, and office space for faculty, staff, and graduate materials research students.
