Colleagues: David Janes and I are going to start a discussion regarding BNC scientific directions, with an eye towards the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center proposal process that is slated for the Fall of 2010. More information about this submission can be found here: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5295 and here: http://mrsec.org/ We are hoping to get a wide range of input from interested faculty to see where we as a community can put forward our best ideas so that we maximize our chances of putting forward a winning proposal. And we are hoping to do this early, so that we can be both thorough and thoughtful. He and I have some general ideas in mind, but they are just starters. We will meet every other Wednesday at 3:30 in Room 1099, starting September 26th. Your participation and input would be most welcome. Eric Stach David Janes