易胜博官网

Three 易胜博官网 researchers received prestigious grants that will connect them with the Department of Energy鈥檚 national laboratories to pursue research that aims to understand the early universe through ultralight dark matter, turn sunlight into energy-rich fuel, and help develop a groundbreaking national nuclear physics project.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Gonghu Li, and Nathaly Santiesteban each received approximately $1 million and are among 39 national recipients of the DOE鈥檚 Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). All three researchers emphasized the critical role of these laboratories in their research, establishing 易胜博官网 as a leader in these areas and creating opportunities for 易胜博官网 students.

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein: Unveiling Dark Matter Mysteries

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Prescod-Weinstein, an associate professor of physics, will use her award to further her groundbreaking research into ultralight dark matter. Her goal is to analyze how this type of dark matter might impact our observations of the early universe.

鈥淥ne of the biggest open questions in physics is the nature of dark matter,鈥� says Prescod-Weinstein. 鈥淚t makes up 85% of the gravitating matter in the universe, yet we don鈥檛 know what kind of particle it is.鈥�

Prescod-Weinstein鈥檚 work focuses on axions, a class of hypothetical particles, and how their existence might leave observable signatures in the light emitted in the universe鈥檚 earliest moments. This light, visible with today鈥檚 telescopes, could hold the key to understanding the fundamental forces that shaped galaxies. Through her partnership with staff scientists Risa Wechsler and Rebecca Leane听 from DOE鈥檚 SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Prescod-Weinstein and her team aim to refine the accuracy of predictions about dark matter's role in these cosmic events.

鈥淐uriosity about the universe is fundamental to who we are as humans,鈥� Prescod-Weinstein added. 鈥淚t鈥檚 evident from books, films, and even the way science fiction shows like Star Trek which have shaped our technology goals, that dreaming of the bigger cosmic picture is part of how humans explore our humanity and fulfill our intellectual potential.鈥�

Gonghu Li: Harnessing Solar Energy through Photocatalysis

Gonghu Li

Li, a professor of chemistry, is focused on using sunlight to produce energy-rich fuel. His research in solar fuel production investigates new photocatalysts that convert carbon dioxide into fuel using water as a renewable source of electrons. This process, known as artificial photosynthesis, offers the potential to store solar energy in a form that could reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

鈥淭he planned ultrafast spectroscopic studies require access to the facilities and expertise that are only available at Argonne National Lab,鈥� says Li. 鈥淭his collaboration will enhance 易胜博官网鈥檚 competitiveness in conducting solar energy research.鈥�

Li鈥檚 work examines the role of heterojunctions, which are interfaces between two different materials, in improving the efficiency of these photocatalysts. His research could lead to more efficient ways to harness renewable energy and train the next generation of scientists in clean energy technologies.

Nathaly Santiesteban: Shaping the Future of Nuclear Physics

Nathaly Santiesteban

Santiesteban, as assistant professor of physics, plans to contribute to the design and development of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), a groundbreaking nuclear physics project under construction at DOE鈥檚 Brookhaven National Laboratory. The EIC will explore how the smallest known particles, such as protons and neutrons, interact to form the universe鈥檚 visible matter. Santiesteban has played a pivotal role in the design of the ePIC detector, which will be the first deployed at the EIC.

Santiesteban 鈥榮 work, which includes simulation studies and collaboration with leading researchers around the globe, is focused on the physics that the EIC will be able to uncover. By understanding how subatomic particles behave, the research has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of the universe.

鈥淭he EIC will push the boundaries of what鈥檚 possible in nuclear physics,鈥� says Santiesteban, who work alongside 易胜博官网 professors Karl Slifer and Elena Long, 易胜博官网 alum and postdoc David Ruth,听 graduate student Olaiya Olokunboyo. 鈥淥ur involvement will require that fundamental pieces of equipment for the EIC be commissioned at 易胜博官网, which highlights 易胜博官网鈥檚 role and importance in the next major accelerator project in the U.S.鈥�