California State University-Northridge-Princeton Center for Complex Materials MRSEC

The California State University, Northridge PREM will expand and strengthen its long-term partnership with Princeton Center for Complex Materials by establishing a joint research powerhouse on quantum materials. This PREM aims to address fundamental problems in quantum materials that have vital scientific and technological importance, including energetics and dynamics of excited states in quantum materials, spontaneous fractional topological quantum Hall effect, fractional topological physics in periodically driven systems, and computational discovery of novel topological materials. Additionally, the PREM plans several educational and outreach activities, including research symposiums for postdocs and students, summer nano-science camps for high school teachers, summer research programs at Princeton for undergraduate students and Materials Science Day/Dia de la Ciencia for high school students.

Goals of this center are as follows:

Leverage and harness the intellectual power and research infrastructure of the partnership to address grand challenges in quantum materials research. Increase the impact, quality and quantity of research output, in terms of publications, presentations, patents and external funding. Gain national recognition in quantum materials research.

Broaden participation of the most underrepresented groups in materials research and education through recruitment, retention, education and outreach programs involving high school students and teachers, undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs. Close mentoring of students is the most critical element of the programs.

Establish strong industry-university-national laboratory partnerships in materials research and education and promote career opportunities for the PREM participants.

Increase key metrics, such as the number of URG participants at all levels, graduation rates of the participants, research output of the participants, students admitted to graduate schools, students entering the workforce in STEM fields, and postdocs landing faculty and staff scientist positions.