# Center for Materials Science

> United States government research agency

**Wikidata**: [Q110955247](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110955247)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/center-for-materials-science

## Summary
The Center for Materials Science was a United States government research agency focused on materials science. It operated as a research institute and was organizationally part of both the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The entity is listed with an inception date of 1900 and a dissolution date of 1990.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Research institute, government agency.
- **Country:** United States.
- **Parent Organizations:** National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- **Inception:** 1900 (earliest date 1978).
- **Dissolution:** 1990 (latest date 1998-12-31).
- **ISNI:** 0000000121948042.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n88200965.
- **Aliases:** Includes "United States National Bureau of Standards Center for Materials Science" and "Center for Materials Science at Los Alamos National Laboratory."

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Center for Materials Science?
A: The Center for Materials Science was a U.S. government research agency classified as a research institute. It conducted research in materials science under the National Institute of Standards and Technology and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

### Q: When was the Center for Materials Science active?
A: The organization has an inception date listed as 1900, with qualifiers pointing to activity as early as 1978. It was dissolved or abolished in 1990, with some references dating as late as December 31, 1998.

### Q: What organizations managed the Center for Materials Science?
A: It was part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a U.S. measurement standards laboratory, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

## Why It Matters
The Center for Materials Science represents a specialized node within the United States' federal research infrastructure, bridging the domains of measurement standards and national defense research. Its affiliation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) indicates a focus on rigorous measurement and material properties, essential for industrial and scientific advancement. Simultaneously, its connection to Los Alamos National Laboratory places it within the context of high-stakes research, likely contributing to fields such as nuclear science and unconventional superconductors. Organizations like this serve as the backbone for technological innovation, providing the foundational science required for engineering breakthroughs. By integrating the standardization mission of NIST with the exploratory research of Los Alamos, the center played a role in maintaining U.S. leadership in materials science during the late 20th century.

## Notable For
- Operating as a joint interest or distinct entity within two major U.S. research organizations: NIST and Los Alamos.
- Research contributions in areas such as electronic transport in unconventional superconductors.
- Being recognized globally with identifiers in the VIAF, ISNI, and Library of Congress systems.
- Historical association with the "National Bureau of Standards," the former name of NIST.

## Body
### Organizational Structure
The Center for Materials Science was an instance of a **research institute** and **government agency**. It operated in the **United States** and was organizationally linked to the **National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)**. NIST, established in 1901 and headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland, employed approximately 3,400 people as of 2021. The center was also part of **Los Alamos National Laboratory**.

### Historical Timeline
- **Inception:** The entity lists an inception year of **1900**, though specific data notes the year **1978** as a key date.
- **Operation:** During the 1980s and 1990s, the center produced reports and research. A described status report covers the period from October 1, 1990, to September 30, 1991.
- **Dissolution:** The organization was dissolved or abolished in **1990**. However, research references, such as a report on electronic transport in unconventional superconductors, extend to **December 31, 1998**.

### Research and Publications
The center's work is documented in technical reports and government archives.
- A 1986 report titled "National Bureau of Standards, report" was published in Washington, D.C.
- A status report from 1991 outlines the center's activities at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- Research topics included **electronic transport in unconventional superconductors**.

### Identifiers and Classifications
The entity is cataloged in numerous international library systems:
- **ISNI:** 0000000121948042
- **GND ID:** 5183748-1
- **VIAF ID:** 159058398
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID:** 119852724
- **National Library of Korea ID:** KAB202016195

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. CiNii Research
3. [Electronic transport in unconventional superconductors. Los Alamos National Laboratory. 1998](https://www.osti.gov/biblio/350907-CIKWSr/webviewable/)