Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Tennessee received a $479,765 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Materials Research, under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), awarded September 1, 2026, with completion targeted for August 31, 2029. This research project investigates surface and buried-interface electronic states in thin-film topological materials and heterostructures by developing novel measurement techniques that exploit spin-momentum locking—a signature characteristic of topological systems. The research deliverables include development of new probing methodologies combined with complementary electrical transport measurements, neutron reflectometry analysis, and magnetic resonance characterization to map the location and behavior of electronic states within material layers and at interfaces.

The project's primary products center on advancing the understanding of how topological electronic properties manifest in layered material structures, with particular focus on determining whether these hidden states can serve as reliable indicators of underlying material topology. These research outputs will support the broader goal of enabling controlled quantum materials and devices that leverage spin, charge, and topological properties for future quantum technology applications. The work is conducted at the University of Tennessee's Knoxville, Tennessee facility and represents fundamental materials science research aligned with NSF's mission to strengthen the Nation's scientific enterprise through advancement of mathematical and physical sciences knowledge.