Center for Quantum Information Science and Engineering

In August 2023, the Center for Quantum Information Science and Engineering (C-QISE) at the University of Wyoming was established. Our mission is to drive innovation, explore new frontiers in quantum science and technology, and prepare a highly skilled workforce equipped to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving quantum industry. We are dedicated to establishing C-QISE as a hub of cutting-edge research, collaborative innovation, and education to push the boundaries of quantum research and tackle real-world challenges.

Advancing Quantum Science and Education for Wyoming and Beyond

Our current research focuses on four core areas: quantum materials and devices, quantum characterization, quantum simulation, and quantum algorithms. These strengths uniquely position us to make significant contributions to the future of quantum computing and quantum sensing. By fostering a collaborative environment, we aim to leverage quantum technologies to solve complex problems that impact the state of Wyoming, from enhancing energy efficiency to advancing cybersecurity.

Empowering Wyoming’s Future

Our efforts are designed with the future of Wyoming in mind. We strive to ensure that Wyoming's energy and natural resource-based economy benefit from the quantum revolution. By advancing quantum science and education, we are laying the foundation for high-tech industries that can thrive in our state, creating jobs, and ensuring that Wyoming remains at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements. Through our work, we are not only contributing to global knowledge but also driving local innovation that will empower Wyoming’s economy and communities for years to come.

Collection of photos from Jifa Tian's Quantum Lab

Vision

C-QISE will become a vibrant ecosystem where cutting-edge research, education, and industry collaboration converge to drive significant advancements in quantum technologies.

C-QISE will foster a dynamic environment where academia, industry, and government agencies work closely together. Our state-of-the-art facilities will support pioneering research in quantum materials, quantum computing, and quantum sensing, positioning us at the forefront of global quantum innovation.

C-QISE will unite a diverse community of researchers, educators, and students across disciplines. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, we will tackle complex challenges that span physics, engineering, computer science, chemistry, and beyond. C-QISE will actively foster and support the establishment of comprehensive educational programs in QISE at the University of Wyoming, preparing the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers.

C-QISE will be instrumental in transforming Wyoming into a regional leader in quantum technology. Through strategic industry and government partnerships, we will drive the commercialization of quantum technologies and associated instrumentation, attract high-tech companies, and create new economic opportunities. The Center will draw top talent to Wyoming, contributing to a robust, knowledge-based economy.

Outcomes & Accomplishments

$7.59m in Project Funding

Over the past year, the center has been undertaking nine research projects, with a total external funding amount of $7.59 million. Of these initiatives, seven projects (a total of $2.6 million) were launched during the fiscal year 2024, reflecting a significant expansion of our research activities.

10 Papers Published

Over the past year, faculty members affiliated with C-QISE have published a total of ten papers in peer-reviewed journals, including high-impact journals such as Nature Communications (UW news), Advanced Materials (UW News), Nano Letters, etc.

2022-2027 “ExpandQISE: Track 2: Developing Research and Education Programs in Quantum Information Science and Engineering with Research on Locally Tunable 2D Topological Superconductors” PI: Jifa Tian, Co-PIs: TeYu Chien, Suresh Muknahallipatna, Yong Chen, and Gary Cheng, Faculty Associate: Jinke Tang, and Yuri Dahnovsky, NSF; Amount: $5,000,000. Award #: 2228841.
2023-2026 “Manipulating the topology and superconductivity in 2M-phase WX2 (X = S and Se)” PI: Jifa Tian, Co-PI: Brian M. Leonard, DOE, Amount: $561.835. Award #: DE-SC0024188.
2024-2025 “RII Track-4:NSF: Exploring van der Waals Superconducting Josephson Junctions for Robust Quantum Bits” PI: Jifa Tian, NSF; Amount: $300,000. Award #: 2327410.
2023-2024 “Type 1: Northern Plains Applied Quantum CORE” UW PI: Jinke Tang, UW Co-PIs: Maohong Fan, Jifa Tian, NSF; Amount: $231,662.
2024-2027 “Engineering Highly-Scalable and Efficient Sorption Materials for Direct Air Capture - a Visiting Scholars Program PIs: Maohong Fan and Jinke Tang, DOE; Amount: $700,000
2024-2026 “Project WyoTCH: Developing a Roadmap for a Sustainable Carbon Hub PIs: Maohong Fan and Jinke Tang, DOE (DE-FE0032360); Amount: $500,000.
2024-2027 “Microwave Spectroscopy of Engineered Triplet Superconductors” PI: Alex P. Petrovic, NSF; Amount: $249,889.
2024-2025 “Broadband Microwave Spectromicroscopy”, PI: Alex P. Petrovic; Co-PI: Philip Mauskopf (Arizona State University), Quantum Collaborative; Amount: $53,061.
2024-2027 “Collaborative Research: Exploring Metastable Magnetic States in Unconventional Magnetic Domains of Two-dimensional van der Waals Magnets” PIs: Jifa Tian, and Hua Chen (Colorado State University), Faculty Associate: TeYu Chien, NSF; Amount: $483,605.

ZhuangEn Fu, Hong-Fei Huang, Piumi Samarawickrama, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Wenyong Wang,John Ackerman, Jiadong Zang, Jie-Xiang Yu, and Jifa Tian, “Anomalous tunneling magnetoresistance oscillation and electrically tunable tunnelling anisotropic magnetoresistance in Few-layer CrPS₄”. Advanced Physics Research 2400052 (2024).
ZhuangEn Fu, Piumi I. Samarawickrama, John Ackerman, Yanglin Zhu, Zhiqiang Mao, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Wenyong Wang, Yuri Dahnovsky, Mingzhong Wu, TeYu Chien, Jinke Tang, Allan H. MacDonald, Hua Chen, and Jifa Tian, “Tunneling current-controlled spin states in few-layer van der Waals magnets”, Nature Communications 15, 3630 (2024).
Lauren Kim, Prince Sharma, William R. Scougale, Nozomi Shirato, Sarah Wieghold, Rose Volker, Wei Chen, Ganesh Balasubramanian, and TeYu Chien, “Distinguishing elements at the sub-nanometer scale on the surface of a high entropy alloy”, Advanced Materials 2402442 (2024).
ZhuangEn Fu, Piumi I. Samarawickrama, Yanglin Zhu, Zhiqiang Mao, Wenyong Wang, Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Jinke Tang, John Ackerman, and Jifa Tian, “Non-volatile memristive effect in few-layer CrI₃ driven by electrostatic gating”. Nano Letters 23, 11866 (2023).
Sabin Gautam, Joseph McBride, William R. Scougale, Piumi I. Samarawickrama, ZhuangEn Fu, Wenyong Wang, Jinke Tang, John Ackerman, TeYu Chien, Brian M. Leonard, and Jifa Tian, “Controllable superconducting to semiconducting phase transition in topological superconductor 2M-WS₂”, 2D Materials 11, 015018 (2024).
Dinesh Baral, Rabindra Basnet, William R. Scougale, Raz Q. Rivlis, Dinesh Upreti, Yuri Dahnovsky, Jin Hu, and TeYu Chien, “Possible coexistence of magnetism and the paramagnetic singularity in lightly Fe doped WTe₂”, Physical Review B 109, 245419 (2024).
Andrei Zadorozhnyi and Yu. Dahnovsky, “Topological Hall effect in three-dimensional centrosymmetric magnetic skyrmion crystals”, Physical Review B 107, 054436 (2023).
Andrei Zadorozhnyi, Raz Rivlis, and Yuri Dahnovsky, “Giant magnetoresistance in helimagnets”, Physical Review B 108, 014405 (2023).
Andrei Zadorozhnyi and Yu. Dahnovsky, “Anomalous Hall effect in conical helimagnetic crystals”, Physical Review B 107, 035202 (2023).
Andrei Zadorozhnyi and Yu. Dahnovsky, “Topological Hall effect in three-dimensional centrosymmetric magnetic skyrmion crystals”, Physical Review B 107, 054436 (2023).

Funding Opportunities

Please refer to the Call for Proposals for more information.