Quantum Biology: Nanodiamonds for Early Disease Detection
To further quantum materials research and quantum technology innovation, Burcu Ozden receives $800K.
Following the disclosure of a large research award to a key faculty member, Penn State Abington is set to help advance quantum technology nationwide. Pennsylvania State Abington assistant professor of engineering and physics Burcu Ozden received a competitive three-year, $800,000 research grant. This large finance focusses on developing cutting-edge two-dimensional materials for next-generation quantum technology.
Room-temperature quantum computing, sensing, and secure communication are huge promises, and the initiative will fund innovative efforts to realise these in 2026.
The Biggest Quantum Challenge
Quantum technologies offer new encryption, sensing, and processing options as global communication needs expand. Quantum physics' powerful, paradoxical laws underpin the second information revolution, which is quantum technology. Traditional bits, or data units, may only be 0 or 1. Quantum bits, or “qubits,” employ superposition to exist in several states. This capacity creates the framework for exponentially greater processing power by enabling computational feats, complicated simulations, and sophisticated encryption that even the most powerful supercomputers cannot do.
Creating stable qubits is a constant and tough challenge to developing this promise. Most modern quantum systems operate in cryogenic, vacuum-sealed settings. Using quantum computing in large-scale commercial and industrial applications is too expensive and complicated.
The research of Dr. Burcu Ozden attempts to construct material platforms that can preserve these fragile quantum states, or coherence, outside of extremely cold conditions. Ozden stressed that stable qubits at ambient temperature require complex material structures.
Atomic-scale engineering
Abington's initiative designs exact defects in sophisticated material structures to control their quantum properties at the atomic level. Dr. Ozden and her group will study transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), highly thin, layered two-dimensional materials. This structure controls their thickness and composition, regulating their quality.
Research aims to exploit certain atomic-scale flaws rather than eliminate them. Antisite defects—atoms exchanging places in a crystal lattice—will be the team's focus. It's ironic that a stable qubit can incorporate this structural irregularity.
This method's breakthrough is its scalable route to defect-based qubits without strain or external impurities, which are common issues in other material creation methods. By deliberately engineering TMD defects, the team hopes to build a reliable, repeatable qubit manufacturing method. According to Dr. Burcu Ozden, this effort will accelerate the University's contributions to defect engineering and quantum materials.
Commitment to Education and Training
The large DOE grant's commitment to workforce development and education, beyond the project's profound scientific goals, aligns with Penn State Abington and national STEM interests. Graduate, undergraduate, and faculty from University Park and Penn State Abington are involved in the initiative's instructional purpose.
Dr. Ozden noted that this collaborative paradigm offers unique prospects when it combines experimental activity, computation, and a strong instructional objective. Her statement says Penn State is “uniquely positioned” to involve undergraduates in federally funded quantum research. In this project, students will learn data analysis, optical characterisation, and materials synthesis for the future quantum workforce.
The "Abington Experience" includes leadership development, internships, academic travel, and undergraduate research, including this top-tier research opportunity. All-encompassing experiences increase marketable skills and self-confidence, which boost job offers, compensation, and long-term success. Students at Abington will connect their academic interests to national research goals through multidisciplinary project teams, summer research projects, and ACURA.
Strongening Multicampus Ecosystem
Penn State's multi-campus research organisation performs well and benefits from the recognition. The Abington campus will benefit from student researcher funding, improved characterisation, and new lab facilities from the project. Additionally, it will enable Penn State Abington researchers and engineering, physics, and materials science students to use shared instruments and spectroscopy labs.
Chancellor Gary Liguori of Abington said the award “showcases the strength of Penn State’s multicampus research ecosystem,” noting that Commonwealth Campus faculty conducted nationally competitive, high-impact research and provided life-changing education.
Over three years, the funds will invest in human capital and basic science. Engineering TMD faults could create a scalable, economical platform for quantum gadget manufacture. This effort ensures that the next generation of scientists and engineers has the cutting-edge skills needed to maintain the quantum-enabled future and reinforces Penn State's position as a national quantum leader.
Near Philadelphia, Penn State Abington has over 3,000 students. By combining transformative student learning with high-impact faculty research, the school graduates students into desired science and technology careers.