The Advanced Materials Research Center (AMRC) is a industry-driven virtual R&D center focused on the commercialization of advanced technologies. The center is a collaboration between the State of Texas, SEMATECH, and the state's research universities.

SEMATECH is a world class, non-profit consortium that conducts R&D for the semiconductor industry. Established in Austin in 1988, SEMATECH is widely credited with jump-starting the regional high-tech economy and strengthening the semiconductor and information technology clusters in the state.

AMRC industry programs are conducted with matching funds from SEMATECH and SEMATECH manages all of the university programs selected by the University Technical Advisory Committee, a group whose membership is comprised of industry and university representatives.

The center combines the scientific strengths of the state's research universities with the capabilities of high-tech manufacturers to accelerate the commercialization of critical research that will generate the industries, jobs and tax revenues of the future. The AMRC builds on the Lone Star State's existing R&D capabilities by focusing on the following six technology areas:

Semiconductors
MEMS
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology
Software Technology/ Wireless
Advanced Energy