The structure of the Institute is designed to provide exceptional service not only to materials experts but also to researchers from other fields that require materials-based information. To achieve its mission, the Institute undertakes two complementary activities. First it attracts the top specialists to access its facilities. This drives the instrumentation and staff toward innovative activities that advance the state-of-the-art for each technique. Second, the superb capabilities of the staff amd equipment is made available to the entirety of the materials community. In doing this, new techniques are brought to bear on the most challenging materials more quickly.

The following facilities are available: