Ten McMaster researchers from the Faculties of Science and Engineering have received a total of $250,000 through the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Alliance International Quantum Grants.

The Alliance International Quantum Grants support research related to quantum science — the study, manipulation and control of systems at the atomic and subatomic level.

The grants enable researchers in Canada to establish and grow international research collaborations that will strengthen research excellence in Canada and abroad, and further develop Canadian research strengths and leadership in quantum science and technology.

NSERC says quantum technologies are at the leading edge of science and innovation in Canada and worldwide, and will support the growth and transformation of key sectors, enable new economic opportunities, and help advance a range of benefits for society.

Each researcher will receive $25,000 to lead the research and development of quantum materials with applications in machine learning, computing, communications and radar technologies.

“These grants will help our researchers advance discoveries in quantum science and develop the next generation of technologies in health and medicine, energy storage and transmission and cybersecure computing,” says Karen Mossman, McMaster’s vice-president, Research, recognizing NSERC’s continued investment in McMaster’s science and engineering community, whose cutting-edge research is helping to strengthen Canada’s leadership in quantum science.

François-Philippe Champagne, federal minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the grants today as part of the Government of Canada’s National Quantum Strategy.

“Our government knows that the research of today will be the economy of tomorrow, and that is why we are one of the first countries to advance quantum research,” Champagne said.

“By investing in research and talent under the National Quantum Strategy, we are continuing to advance success in Canadian innovation and talent. The projects awarded today are deepening collaborations with domestic and international partners to help Canadian researchers take advantage of opportunities that arise and to solidify our leadership in this fast-growing field.”

These are the researchers and their projects that received the grants:

From the Faculty of Engineering

• Nabil Bassim, Materials Science and Engineering: Fabrication and characterization of quantum nanostructures
• Jun Chen, Electrical & Computer Engineering: Quantum information-constrained optimal transport
• Timothy Davidson, Electrical & Computer Engineering: Entanglement recovery in quantum radar
• Shiva Kumar, Electrical & Computer Engineering: Novel optical transceivers and signaling techniques for quantum communications
• Ray LaPierre, Engineering Physics: McMaster-UCA collaboration in quantum nanowires

From the Faculty of Science

• Pat Clancy, Physics & Astronomy | Quantum strain control: Exploring quantum materials under applied uniaxial strain
• Bruce Gaulin, Physics & Astronomy | New quantum materials with spin liquid ground states
• Graeme Luke, Physics & Astronomy | Targeted development of new quantum materials with topological properties
• Duncan O’Dell, Physics & Astronomy | Super-resolution and quantum anomalies
• Erik Sorensen, Physics & Astronomy | Quantum critical materials