Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Cornell University's Office of Sponsored Programs received a $679,240 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Materials Research under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049) for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. The award supports experimental research on van der Waals magnets and antiferromagnets constructed through mechanical stacking of atomically-thin layered materials. The primary research deliverables include: (1) development of improved electrical detection and control techniques for high-frequency spin dynamics in antiferromagnets, with the objective of enabling device operation at frequencies substantially exceeding current ferromagnet-based technologies; and (2) investigation of quantized anomalous Hall effects to expand the temperature range at which these zero-resistance electron-flow phenomena can be realized to above liquid-helium temperatures.

In addition to core research products, the award includes an educational component whereby the Principal Investigator will develop and publicly distribute graduate-level lecture notes on modern advances in structural characterization techniques for materials science. The research activities will provide graduate and undergraduate students with training in frontier technical skills, scientific communication, and professional development relevant to science and engineering careers. This project represents typical NSF Mathematical and Physical Sciences funding in the $200,000–$500,000 range and is classified as a prime award to Cornell University's primary institution.