Identification and discovery of oxide materials with exceptionally low thermal conductivity is the theme of the Materials World Network project of the National Science Foundation jointly located at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of Florida, Gainesville.

The project spans activities in simulation, experiment and theory, and is aimed at integrating these activities to hasten the discovery of new oxide materials that have low thermal conductivity at room temperature as well as at high temperatures.

Partnering in the Network are the groups of Professor Robin Grimes at Imperial College, London, and Professor Pan Wei at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, each supported by their respective national science agencies.