Tohoku University and the University of Chicago will open the “Quantum Hub” at Tohoku University’s Research Institute of Electrical Communication this September. The hub expands the Chicago-Tohoku Quantum Alliance and will focus on advancing materials and devices for quantum technologies, using Tohoku University’s NanoTerasu facilities for materials investigation. University of Chicago professors David D.
Joint Expertise Drives Quantum Materials and Device Development
NanoTerasu facilities at Tohoku University will be a core resource for hub researchers, enabling detailed characterization of material structures and their electronic states at the nanoscale. This access allows for precise investigation of quantum materials, bridging the gap between theoretical predictions and experimental validation of device performance. The hub’s integrated approach prioritizes a full development cycle, moving from initial material identification through fabrication and rigorous device evaluation.
The universities also plan to support the translation of research outcomes into industrial applications and new ventures through Tohoku University’s startup support programs. “By connecting theory and computation with materials and device research, we hope this hub will broaden both the scope of quantum science and the range of researchers contributing to it,” said Galli.
“Bringing researchers from different fields together can open new directions that would not emerge within a single discipline.” The hub’s structure, supporting both joint projects and researcher exchanges, is designed to cultivate a collaborative environment and train the next generation of scientists capable of tackling complex challenges at the intersection of quantum science, materials science and device engineering.
By bringing together Tohoku University’s strengths in materials science and device engineering with the University of Chicago’s expertise in quantum science and engineering, this new hub will create an integrated pathway from materials discovery to quantum devices.
David D. Awschalom, Professor at University of Chicago
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