The University of Iowa has been awarded nearly $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance its quantum materials research infrastructure and accelerate the development of next-generation quantum technologies. Funded through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), the grant will support the purchase of advanced nanofabrication equipment for the university’s Materials Analysis, Testing, and Fabrication (MATFab) Facility. The project, titled “Heterogeneous Nanoscale Materials Collaborative for Quantum Technologies at The University of Iowa,” aims to investigate the integration of dissimilar materials to optimize optical and electronic properties for quantum sensing and communication.
The investment is centered on overcoming the engineering challenges of heterogeneous material integration, a critical frontier in building compact quantum systems. Key equipment acquisitions include a maskless grayscale lithography system with 300-nanometer resolution—allowing for precise 3D patterning—and a specialized printing system for “nano-sandwiching” layers of diverse materials. These tools will enable researchers to transition conceptual quantum structures into functional devices, such as light-routing components and tiny transistors, with applications ranging from improved toxin detection in drinking water to high-resolution tactical mapping for defense.
Strategically, the award positions the University of Iowa as a regional hub for quantum innovation. Beyond the primary research conducted by principal investigators Ravitej Uppu, John Prineas, and Thomas Folland, the university plans to host a summer school to train regional students on state-of-the-art quantum fabrication tools. This regional outreach directly addresses the specialized workforce shortage in the quantum sector and ensures that the university remains a primary center for advanced materials research critical to national competitiveness in defense and energy technologies.
Read the official announcement from the University of Iowa here and the MATFab facility technical overview here.
January 5, 2026
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