With support from a prestigious NSF CAREER award, Subhasish Mandal, an assistant professor in the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of Physics and Astronomy, is working to discover new materials that can make high-speed quantum computing a reality.
\n (WVU Photo\/Jennifer Shephard)\n <\/p>\n
With support from a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER award, Mandal, an assistant professor in the\u00a0WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences<\/a>\u00a0Department Quantum technology could change the way we compute, communicate, Mandal\u2019s research focuses on understanding and designing materials \u201cOne of the biggest challenges in quantum technology is finding Mandal will study specially designed materials made by stacking Using advanced computer methods and large-scale simulations, Mandal\u2019s Mandal will also focus on topological quantum states, which can He will develop free software to help researchers find new quantum \u201cInstead of making every quantum material possible in a laboratory In addition, Mandal will create easy-to-understand lessons about \u201cAs quantum technologies move from the laboratory toward real-world Mandal\u2019s award comes through NSF\u2019s Faculty Early Career Development \u201cDr. Mandal is working at the cutting edge of an extraordinarily Mandal joined the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy in 2022. \u201cThe long-term goal is to create a way to predict which materials -WVU-<\/p>\n mh\/9\/10\/26<\/p>\n MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Brosky
\nWest
\nVirginia University<\/a>\u00a0physicist Subhasish Mandal<\/a> is
\nworking to supply future quantum technologies with materials that don\u2019t exist
\nyet.<\/p>\n
\nof Physics and Astronomy<\/a>, will develop computer tools
\nfor designing the quantum materials that will be required to build quantum
\ncomputers and other advanced technologies.<\/p>\n
\nand collect information. Regular computers use bits, which are either 0 or 1.
\nQuantum computers use quantum states, which can exist in many possible
\nconfigurations at the same time. However, building useful quantum technologies
\ncan be difficult because quantum states are very fragile and can easily be
\naffected by their surroundings.<\/p>\n
\nthat can protect these delicate quantum states. One important part of his
\nproject involves studying how electrons interact with tiny vibrations from the
\natoms inside materials. These interactions strongly influence a material\u2019s
\nquantum properties and may hold the key to creating more stable quantum
\ntechnologies.<\/p>\n
\nmaterials that can maintain their quantum behavior outside carefully controlled
\nlaboratory environments,\u201d Mandal said. \u201cTo overcome that challenge, we need to
\nunderstand both how electrons interact with one another and how they interact
\nwith the natural vibrations of atoms in a material. Together, these combined
\ninteractions can dramatically reshape a material\u2019s quantum properties and, if
\nproperly controlled, may help us design better materials for future quantum
\ntechnologies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\ndifferent substances one atomic layer at a time. Like mixing ingredients in a
\nrecipe to create something entirely new, combining different materials at the
\natomic level can create quantum properties that one material could not produce
\nby itself.<\/p>\n
\nteam will study how electrons and atomic vibrations work together to create
\nquantum behavior. These processes can help determine whether a material has
\nspecial properties such as superconductivity, which allows electricity to flow
\nwithout energy loss.<\/p>\n
\nresist certain types of disturbances. Scientists say they believe combining superconductivity
\nand topological quantum states could help create the basic building blocks for
\nfuture quantum computers.<\/p>\n
\nmaterials, broadening scientists\u2019 access to advanced computer tools and potentially
\nspeeding up scientific discoveries by reducing the time and money needed to
\ntest new materials.<\/p>\n
\nto see which perform well, researchers could first use the software to run simulations
\nto identify the most promising options,\u201d Mandal said. \u201cThen scientists could
\nfocus their laboratory experiments on materials most likely to have useful
\nquantum properties.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nquantum science and technology, organize immersive summer workshops at WVU, and
\nprovide hands-on opportunities for high school, college, and graduate students
\nwho will learn computer skills that are increasingly important in scientific
\nresearch, advanced manufacturing, high-performance computing, and new quantum
\nindustries.<\/p>\n
\napplications, there is a growing need for a workforce that understands both the
\nscience and the tools behind them,\u201d Mandal said. \u201cThis project allows us to
\ntrain students at multiple levels and help prepare them for careers in one of
\nthe fastest growing areas of science and technology.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nProgram, the Foundation\u2019s most prestigious awards in support of early-career
\nfaculty who demonstrate the potential to serve as academic role models in
\nresearch and education.<\/p>\n
\ninnovative field,\u201d said Maura McLaughlin<\/a>, chair
\nof the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Eberly Distinguished Professor
\nof Physics and Astronomy. \u201cThe training this project provides will open new
\nopportunities for West Virginia students while helping to build the highly
\nskilled technology workforce critical to our state\u2019s future growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIn December 2025, his work on quantum materials was highlighted by Nature
\nCommunications, and he received the 2026 Cottrell Scholar Award from the
\nResearch Corporation for Science Advancement. His research group, the Computational
\nQuantum Materials Group, is supported by agencies and foundations, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, the U.S.
\nDepartment of Defense, and the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.<\/p>\n
\ncould be useful for quantum technology before they are ever made in a
\nlaboratory,\u201d Mandal said. \u201cIf we can find materials or a combination of
\nmaterials that naturally support quantum states, we can help to build the
\nfoundation for new quantum technologies that could benefit society for decades
\nto come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Media Manager
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
304-293-3990, RaBrosky@mail.wvu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n