Spring 2021

Olexandr Isayev, Geoff Hutchison, and their team of researchers received a $1.7 million grant from the Department of Defense’s Office of Naval Research for their Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative. Their project aims to gain a better understanding of how organic molecules and polymeric materials degrade under stress. Isayev’s lab plans to develop a computational framework using fast simulations for degradation pathways, reaction networks and artificial intelligence. Hutchison’s lab will use a variety of methods to make massive automated quantum chemical calculations. The results will not only allow future materials to be better designed for stability, but also offer tools that will help chemists and materials scientists quickly predict degradation pathways and products.

Congrats Olexandr and Geoff!

Jeremy Levy, Hrvoje Petek, and their team of researchers received a $7.5 million grant from the Office of Naval Research for their Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative to develop more efficient quantum computers. Their project, titled “Topological Spin Qubits Based on Graphene Nanoribbons,” seeks to develop a new type of qubit based on tiny strips of carbon atoms called graphene.

As of yet, no approach has been able to decisively meet all of the requirements for a scalable quantum computer. The team aims to change that by combining lithographic capabilities with synthetic chemistry protocols to create and manipulate atomically precise graphene nanoribbons in ways that may be useful for future quantum computing architectures.

Congrats Jeremy and Hrvoje!

The Chancellor's Distinguished Research Award annually recognizes outstanding scholarly accomplishments of members of the University of Pittsburgh's faculty. Junior Scholars include faculty members who have demonstrated great potential through the quality of their early contributions.

Professor Michael Hatridge is an outstanding researcher and has made significant contributions to the field of quantum information and quantum computing.  He has won multiple awards including the 2020 Alfred Sloan Research Fellowship and the 2019 NSF CAREER Award, and his research has been published by Nature, Science, Applied Physics Letters, and more.

Congratulations Michael!
 

Congratulations to Professor Noa Marom for winning the Spring 2021 American Chemical Society (ACS) OpenEye Outstanding Junior Faculty Award! 

This prestigious award is given to junior faculty members who show promise in computational chemistry and modeling. Up to four applicants are selected to win a $1000 prize and the opportunity to present their work at the San Antonio ACS National Meeting. 

Marom’s research uses quantum mechanical simulations, machine learning, and optimization algorithms to design materials with desired properties for various applications. Her award-winning work specifically involves the structure prediction and discovery of molecular crystals with enhanced electronic properties.