Quantum Design Oxford will present its 2026 Lee Osheroff Richardson Science Prize to two researchers whose work advances the field of quantum materials. Dr. Frank Zhao of the University of Maryland and Dr. Zhengguang Lu of Florida State University will jointly receive the award on October 28, 2026, recognizing their outstanding contributions. The selection committee awarded two prizes this year due to the exceptional quality of nominations.
Zhao’s Advances in Layered Superconductor Interfaces & Fabrication
Dr. Zhao’s work revealed a layered superconductor, BaTa2S5, possessing an in-plane upper critical field exceeding 22 times the Pauli limit, a figure suggesting potential for spin-triplet superconductivity. Following this discovery, Dr. Zhao transitioned to establish a laboratory focused on combining single-crystal synthesis with van der Waals nanofabrication techniques, enabling precise control over material interfaces at the atomic scale.
At Maryland, Dr. Zhao’s group synthesized a novel BiS2-based superconductor alongside a new high-k layered dielectric, expanding the library of materials available for exploring unconventional superconductivity. Most notably, he demonstrated emergent time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductivity at twisted BSCCO interfaces, achieved by rotating crystals to 45 degrees.
He also investigated long-standing questions surrounding the Hall voltage reversal near the critical temperature in cuprates, using atomically thin BSCCO devices fabricated with air-free, cryogenic methods. These techniques replicated cleanroom conditions within a glovebox, overcoming fabrication challenges inherent in working with delicate two-dimensional materials. By demonstrating sensitivity to the symmetry of the cuprate order parameter through c-axis twist junctions, his research provided new insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing superconductivity in these complex materials.
Lu’s Discovery of Fractional Quantum Hall Effects in Graphene
Lu’s discovery of the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQAH) in a rhombohedral pentalayer graphene/hBN moiré superlattice occurred during his postdoctoral work at MIT between 2021 and 2024, and earned him the 2025 McMillan Award. The finding, unexpected from a theoretical perspective, revealed a zero-field quantum phase where electrons spontaneously organise into fractionalised topological states. This self-organisation within the material creates a promising platform for interfacing fractionalised topology with superconductivity, potentially enabling advancements in non-Abelian anyonic physics and fault-tolerant quantum computation.
The research garnered significant attention, receiving coverage in both Nature News and Quanta Magazine. The unique properties of the graphene/hBN system extend beyond the initial FQAH discovery; Dr. Lu subsequently identified a new topological phase within the same material. This phase is believed to arise from electrons forming ordered, crystal-like structures, further demonstrating the material’s complex quantum behaviour.
He also contributed to the discovery of chiral superconductivity in rhombohedral graphene, a rare and unconventional form of superconductivity that may support Majorana zero modes, particles theorised to be important for building robust quantum computers. Lu has continued to explore these phenomena, recently discovering a related chiral superconducting state in hexalayer rhombohedral graphene, with results currently under preparation for publication. The material’s cleanliness and compatibility with transparent contacts are key factors driving its potential, allowing for precise observation and manipulation of these quantum states.
Matthew Martin, Managing Director at Quantum Design Oxford, highlighted the significance of Dr. Lu’s work, stating, He further explained that Dr. Lu’s research, alongside Dr. Zhao’s, spans new superconducting states at engineered crystal interfaces and the discovery of fractionalised topological order in graphene. This recognition highlights the importance of exploring novel materials and quantum phenomena for future technological advancements, and the potential for graphene-based systems to enable new developments in quantum computing and materials science.
2026 Lee Osheroff Richardson Prize Jointly Awarded to Zhao & Lu
The $15,000 cash prize accompanying the 2026 Lee Osheroff Richardson Science Prize will support both Dr. Frank Zhao and Dr. Zhengguang Lu in attending an international physics conference, allowing them to disseminate their research findings to a wider audience.
Notably, I really enjoyed pushing the boundary of what is possible with Nicola Poccia, who co-developed the glovebox fabrication techniques with me; as well as Paul Neves, Josh Wakefield, and Dave Graf, whose infectious curiosity and relentless persistence pushed us to see further.
Dr. Frank Zhao, Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland
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