The Center for Materials Processing is headquartered in the College of Engineering. It was established as a Center of Excellence in the statewide Centers of Excellence program in 1985—the second round of designations of programs. Dealing with ceramics, metals, and polymers, its objective is to develop significant research and academic programs that address the specific needs of American industry in the field of materials processing. Its approach is interdisciplinary, involving faculty and staff in materials science and engineering; textiles, retail and consumer sciences; and other engineering disciplines.