ABINGTON, Pa. — Burcu Ozden, assistant professor of engineering and physics at Penn State Abington, received a three-year, $800,000 research grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop advanced two-dimensional materials for use in quantum technologies. The project, set to begin in 2026, will be conducted in collaboration with faculty, undergraduates and graduate students at Abington and University Park.
As global demand for secure communication grows, quantum technologies offer new possibilities for encryption, sensing and computation. Unlike conventional bits, or a unit of data, quantum bits — or qubits — can exist in multiple states at once, enabling powerful processing capabilities. Creating stable qubits at room temperature, however, requires highly controlled material systems, Ozden said.
Ozden’s project aims to uncover and manipulate atomic-scale defects — specifically antisite defects, where atoms swap places in a crystal — in transition metal dichalcogenides, which are materials comprising thin layers that can be precisely tuned to achieve specific properties. The goal is to provide a scalable pathway to defect-based qubits without introducing strain or foreign impurities.
“This project brings together experimental work, computation and a strong educational mission,” Ozden said. “Penn State is uniquely positioned to involve undergraduate researchers directly in federally funded quantum research. Students involved in this project will gain hands-on experience in materials synthesis, optical characterization and data analysis — skills that are foundational to the future quantum workforce.”
Undergraduate research is one of the four pillars of the Abington Experience, which along with internships, academic travel and leadership training build the in-demand skills and confidence proven to increase job offers, salaries and lifelong success.
The award will support new lab infrastructure, student researchers and advanced characterization capabilities at Abington. It will also support collaborations among faculty and students in engineering, physics and materials science across Penn State, as well as use of shared instrumentation facilities and spectroscopy labs. Abington students will participate through the campus’ undergraduate research program (ACURA), summer research initiatives and interdisciplinary project teams.
“This grant demonstrates the strength of Penn State’s multicampus research ecosystem,” Abington Chancellor Gary Liguori said. “Faculty at Commonwealth Campuses continue to lead high-impact, nationally competitive research while providing transformative learning experiences for our students.”
The project is expected to accelerate the University’s contributions to the rapidly evolving fields of quantum materials and defect engineering, Ozden said. The research also supports workforce development goals aligned with Penn State and national STEM priorities.
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington, home to nearly 3,000 students and just minutes from Philadelphia, offers 26 four-year majors and 14 NCAA Division III athletics teams. The Abington Experience launches students from campus to career through internships, leadership development, short-term academic travel, and faculty-led research. Penn State Abington — where the city’s energy meets the best of the suburbs.