Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Emory University's Office of Sponsored Programs received a $200,000 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Materials Research under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. This collaborative research initiative focuses on designing, synthesizing, and characterizing noncentrosymmetric chiral crystals based on two-dimensional hybrid metal halides to advance understanding of nonreciprocal transport phenomena. The research team will systematically investigate the relationship between crystal structure and nonreciprocal transport properties in these symmetry-breaking semiconducting materials, which feature alternating organic and inorganic layers. By leveraging the chemical diversity and low dimensionality of these hybrid metal halide platforms, the project aims to overcome current material availability constraints that have limited progress in this field.

Beyond fundamental scientific discovery, the award integrates comprehensive educational and public outreach initiatives. The research team will develop new curricula, conduct hands-on bootcamp training for undergraduate students, and lead public engagement activities designed to build a skilled STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce. The materials and findings from this research may enable novel functionalities for quantum sensing, telecommunications, and advanced computing applications. The three-year funding period supports both the technical research objectives and the integrated educational mission targeting knowledge dissemination in materials physics.