The Center was founded in April, 1995 as a collaborative research facility  for Interdisciplinary research at Tohoku University. The primary aim of the Center is to investigate novel phenomena and challenging problems that cut across disciplinary boundaries in the fields of science and technology.

The Center supports three-year research programs for such investigations, which are proposed jointly by faculty members belonging to different departments and institutes. Visiting professor positions are available for each program on order to form intense and flexible research teams involving young scientists and world experts in appropriate fields.

The laboratory building, constructed in 1997, is equipped with instrumentation for materials production and processing. Also equipped are various analytical tools for both materials and biological science. Specialized facilities such as a clean room and a low-temperature room are available.

 The Center is operated by three permanent staff members and a steering committee composed of representatives from the relevant departments and institutes.