In the diverse realm of materials, combinatorial methods hold promise for all classes, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and biomaterials. NIST has established a combinatorial
methods center as a model for collaboration, in order to share expertise, facilities, resources, and information, thereby reducing obstacles to participation in this fast-moving and
instrument-intensive area. Although collaborations with multiple partners can be difficult, the goal is to foster cross-fertilization of ideas and research strategies, and to spur progress on many
fronts by crossing boundaries of organizations, disciplines, and interests. A few examples of combinatorial project currently underway at NIST are in the areas of block copolymer ordering behavior,
crystallization kinetics of polymers, quantitative polymer adhesion measurements, strain induced elastomer buckling instability for mechanical measurements, and informatics.