Kyle Seyler Selected as Department of Energy 2024 Early Career Award Winner

Congratulations to Kyle Seyler, assistant professor of optical sciences, on his selection as a 2024 Early Career Award winner by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), part of the Early Career Research Program (ECRP). This highly competitive program selected 91 talented early career scientists from across the United States, providing a combined $138 million in funding to advance cutting-edge research in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, fusion energy, and quantum technologies.

According to the DOE press release, "These awards, which include research on artificial intelligence, fusion energy, quantum, and much more, are critical to DOE’s longstanding efforts to develop the next generation of STEM leaders to solidify America’s role as the driver of science and innovation around the world." His selection highlights his innovative contributions to the field of quantum materials and the potential impact of the future research that will result from his work.

Seyler’s proposal, titled "Light-Driven Proximity Control of Designer Moiré Nanomaterials," focuses on exploring light-induced quantum phases in two-dimensional (2D) moiré nanomaterials. Moiré nanomaterials are a new class of highly tunable 2D nanostructures that are specially suited for studying quantum phases of matter (such as unconventional magnetism, exotic insulating states, and superconductivity). A grand challenge of condensed matter physics research is to understand how these peculiar quantum properties change when the materials are pushed out of equilibrium. 

Seyler’s work will use ultrafast laser pulses to drive custom-built moiré nanostructures far from equilibrium to discover new light-induced quantum phases. With funding from this prestigious award, Seyler’s research will push the boundaries of quantum materials research, contributing to next-generation quantum technologies and deepening our understanding of light-matter interactions. After receiving the recognition, Seyler shared, "I'm very honored to receive the award and excited to explore this new scientific frontier with my students!" Read the proposal abstract on page 70 of the 2024 selected projects.

Congratulations, Dr. Seyler! 

For more information on the DOE’s Early Career Research Program and a full list of awardees, please visit the DOE website. Read the DOE press release, here.