September 05, 2024 -- Purdue University has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to lead the Quantum Photonics Integrated Design Center (QuPIDC) Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC).

This initiative, in collaboration with partner institutions including Los Alamos National Laboratory, Stanford University, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Maryland Baltimore County, the University of Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech, will drive forward the frontiers of quantum photonics research.

QuPIDC will be directed by Libai Huang, professor in the James Tarpo Jr. and Margaret Tarpo Department of Chemistry.

The $13.9 million, four-year award is funded by the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES) that brings together teams of creative, multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional scientific researchers to address the toughest grand scientific challenges at the forefront of fundamental energy science research.

“In a nutshell, this center will focus on making better quantum light sources using solid state materials. Purdue traditionally has strength in photonics research and recent investments in quantum on campus will complement the center,” Huang explained.

In addition to Huang, principal investigators at Purdue include:

Alexandra Boltasseva - Ron and Dotty Garvin Tonjes Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the QuPIDC deputy director.

Hadiseh Alaeian - Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Physics and Astronomy.

Jonathan Hood - Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Physics and Astronomy.

Sabre Kais - Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, and Electrical and Computer Engineering

Tongcang Li - Professor of Physics and Astronomy, and Electrical and Computer Engineering

Vlad Shalaev - Bob and Anne Burnett Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Valentin Walther - Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Physics and Astronomy.

QuPIDC is one of ten EFRC projects announced by the DOE, spanning fundamental scientific research for microelectronics, quantum information science, manufacturing, and environmental management.

According to the DOE press release, $118 million has been awarded to the ten projects located in nine states where they will develop powerful new tools for characterizing, understanding, modeling, and manipulating matter, while training the next-generation scientific workforce by attracting talented students passionate about energy science.

“Fundamental research in the areas covered in these awards is critical for generating foundational knowledge that underpins technologies that are important for DOE and the nation,” said Harriet Kung, Acting Director of the DOE Office of Science. “Strengthening our understanding of the chemistry and materials science behind advanced manufacturing of polymers, microelectronics, and quantum technologies will foster a cleaner and more energy-efficient future.”

Quantum science and engineering research is one of four key pillars of the Purdue Computes initiative, where the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute leads the university’s efforts in those fields.