TU Graz Researchers Win €1M Each to Advance Quantum Materials & AI

Researchers Bettina Könighofer and Anna Galler of Graz University of Technology will each receive one million euros over five years through the Austrian Science Fund’s ASTRA awards, funding dedicated to advancing both trustworthy artificial intelligence and the development of novel quantum materials. Könighofer’s project, “SEAL – Shielding for Explainable Correctness of Learned Systems,” builds upon her doctoral thesis, where she published the first approach to provably correct machine learning, to create safeguards for autonomous AI, preventing risky or non-compliant actions in systems like self-driving vehicles. “When AI acts autonomously, we must be able to trust that it will act safely and respect our rules and standards,” Könighofer says, outlining the project’s focus on explainability and ethical considerations. Galler’s work centers on two-dimensional quantum materials, aiming to unlock their potential as building blocks for future electronics and sensors.

FWF Astra Awards Support Quantum Materials & Trustworthy AI

The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is investing significantly in future technologies, awarding €1 million each to two researchers at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) through its prestigious Astra program. Anna Galler and Bettina Könighofer will each pursue five-year projects focused on distinct but vital areas: quantum materials and trustworthy artificial intelligence. According to the FWF, these awards recognize exceptional researchers expected to make substantial contributions internationally. Könighofer’s approach focuses on verifying individual aspects of AI decision-making using symbolic AI, rather than attempting to understand the entire complex neural network. Meanwhile, Anna Galler is tackling the challenge of predicting the properties of two-dimensional quantum materials. These ultra-thin materials, just one or a few atoms thick, offer remarkable flexibility and customizable electronic properties, making them promising building blocks for future electronics and sensors.

Galler intends to develop theoretical and numerical methods to identify promising new materials before laboratory synthesis, overcoming current limitations in predicting their behavior due to complex quantum mechanical interactions. “In this project, I am developing theoretical and numerical quantum many-particle methods,” she explains, hoping to fill a critical gap in current research capabilities.

“SEAL” Project: Symbolic AI for Verifiable Autonomous Systems

The pursuit of trustworthy artificial intelligence is gaining momentum, shifting from broad aspirations toward concrete verification methods. This foundation allows her team to now construct protective shields designed to monitor and constrain autonomous AI, such as vehicles and robots. Unlike attempts to decipher the complex internal logic of neural networks, Bettina Könighofer’s approach utilizes symbolic AI to examine individual decision points. Instead, the system proactively checks for risky or non-compliant actions before execution, offering a layer of safety and accountability. This research extends beyond simple collision avoidance, now encompassing ethics, fairness, and explainability, all within the framework of the Austrian Bilateral AI Cluster of Excellence.

2D Quantum Materials Enable Future Electronics & Sensors

Anna Galler at TU Graz is developing methods to predict the behavior of two-dimensional quantum materials, positioning these ultra-thin layers as potential building blocks for future electronics. Galler’s work addresses a critical limitation in the field; until now, accurately forecasting the properties of these materials has remained largely impossible due to complex quantum mechanical interactions between electrons. This predictive capability is crucial, as the limited data currently available precludes the effective application of machine learning techniques to the problem. The potential applications extend to ultra-thin, flexible transistors and advanced data storage solutions utilizing ferroelectric materials. Andrea Höglinger, Vice Rector for Research at TU Graz, emphasized the significance of the FWF Astra awards, stating, “Anna Galler and Bettina Könighofer have more than earned these awards,” and noting the success demonstrates TU Graz’s excellence in materials research. Galler’s methods aim to fill a critical research gap, paving the way for a new generation of electronic and sensor technologies.

Predicting Quantum Material Properties with Many-Particle Methods

Research into two-dimensional quantum materials is driving the quest for next-generation electronics and sensors, and Anna Galler of TU Graz is poised to accelerate discovery with new computational techniques. Receiving €1 million in funding from the Austrian Science Fund, Galler’s project, “Electron Dynamics and Correlation in 2D Quantum Materials,” tackles a longstanding challenge: accurately predicting the properties of these ultra-thin materials before they are even synthesized. Currently, predicting their behavior is hampered by complex quantum mechanical interactions between electrons, rendering existing calculations unreliable. Galler’s work focuses on understanding how stacking different layers of these materials can create entirely new properties, such as transforming a metal into an insulator. This ability to tailor material characteristics at the atomic level represents a significant leap forward in materials science, and the funding will allow her to fill a critical gap in predictive capability, ultimately speeding up the development of innovative technologies.