The Data Storage Systems Center (DSSC) is an interdisciplinary research and educational entity within Carnegie Mellon University whose mission is to enhance the competitiveness of the data storage industry by developing new fundamental understanding and producing highly skilled and knowledgeable students. The Center is supported by funding from industrial sponsors as well as government agencies, notably the National Science Foundation (NSF). In particular, in 1990 the NSF established the DSSC as an Engineering Research Center. By doing so, the NSF expressed confidence in the future of the data storage industry and is providing a vehicle for companies to benefit from the students and knowledge produced in the Center. Industrial sponsorship in the DSSC includes approximately two dozen sponsor companies and numerous other affiliated companies, spanning the spectrum from Fortune 500 corporations to small companies. The other government agencies that sponsor research in the Center which is available to industrial members include DOD, DOE, NASA, ONR, AFOSR, and NIST (ATP). The Center is also a principle research participant in the National Storage Industry Consortium. The Data Storage Systems Center and its predecessor, the Magnetics Technology Center, have been recognized as model programs because we have consistently placed our greatest emphasis on involving our sponsors, knowing that researcher-to-researcher interaction builds mutually beneficial relationships. Becoming involved with our research gives broad access to the world's largest group of university researchers studying issues related to information storage. The DSSC has affiliated faculty, graduate students, and research staff from six academic departments in our colleges of engineering, science, and computer science. With these personnel, the Center is well-staffed to address the interdisciplinary nature of data storage technology systems. 

Please visit the Center's website for more information.

Mechanical Engineering faculty associated with the Data Storage Systems Center:

• Medhi Asheghi
• Bill Messner
• Metin Sitti
• Jonathan Wickert