Spheres are the basic building blocks of geometry, which can fit together to build more complicated geometric objects. Enumerating combinations of spheres is one of the central questions of homotopy theory, and this problem is known as the computation of the homotopy groups of spheres. This project is a direct attack on that central problem. … Read more
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY Modern electronics rely on materials that can precisely control the flow of electricity. Glass is widely used in electronic systems because it is stable, inexpensive, and can be manufactured at large scale. However, glass today plays only a passive role because it cannot support high-quality semiconductor materials needed for computing, memory, and sensing. … Read more
Loss of mobility caused by aging, injury, or disease affects millions of Americans, reducing their independence and quality of life. Human movement depends on many body systems working together. The brain and spinal cord send signals to muscles, muscles move bones and joints, and pain or other sensory signals can change how a person moves. … Read more
Reliable electric power is essential to economic strength, public safety, domestic manufacturing and national competitiveness. Modern power grids are becoming increasingly dynamic as they support growing electricity demand from data centers, advanced computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and expanding U.S. industry. At the same time, grid operators must manage uncertain and rapidly changing conditions that cannot … Read more
Quantum computers have the potential to transform critical sectors such as drug discovery, materials engineering, logistics, and energy infrastructure by solving complex decision-making and resource allocation problems, commonly known as optimization problems, that challenge even the most powerful classical supercomputers. Nations worldwide are investing heavily in the development of large-scale quantum systems capable of running … Read more
This project is funded through the NSF Translation to Practice (TTP) program, which supports efforts to translate research discoveries into practical tools that benefit communities, industry, and society. For the TTP program, teams advance research results toward real-world deployment and adoption. This research team creates high-performance and low-cost thermoelectric devices that can both cool things … Read more
This integrative project fills a significant knowledge gap in understanding bird flight by quantifying flight under the more challenging but realistic conditions of turbulence. Significant progress had been made in recent years characterizing and modeling bird flight in ideal, quiescent environments and in clean (laminar) flows. However, turbulent air flow environments are more common in … Read more
This project establishes a three-year, fully online Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Site focused on quantum computing and cybersecurity education. The project prepares high school teachers from across the United States to bring emerging topics in quantum information science and cybersecurity into their classrooms. As quantum technologies continue to develop, future workers will need new … Read more
This NSF IUSE-funded project aims to serve the national interest by implementing experiential learning in authentic settings to prepare a STEM workforce suitable for work in rural Alaska. The project titled “Ikayuqluta: Developing a Rural Alaska STEM Workforce through Collaborative Place-Based STEM” and managed by faculty members at University of Alaska-Fairbanks Campus at Bristol Bay … Read more
This grant will partially support travel and attendance for eight eligible students enrolled at US universities to participate in the 2027 IEEE World Haptics Conference (WHC 2027), to be held July12-15, 2027, at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts. WHC is the primary biennial international research meeting for haptics, bringing together researchers and … Read more