On September 10, 2024, Lina Quan, assistant professor of chemistry in the College of Science, was named a 2024 Early Career Research Program awardee by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award is set to distribute $875,000 over the course of five years to Quan’s research and lab.

Pioneering Spintronics with Chiral Semiconductors

Quan’s research focuses on electron spin, an intrinsic property that influences magnetic behavior and can be manipulated to unlock new technological possibilities. Spintronics, or spin-based electronics, utilizes both the spin and charge of electrons, and promises enhancements in electronic systems, such as faster speeds, increased data storage, and lower power consumption. A major challenge in this field is finding materials that can effectively control and sustain electron spin over time.

Funded by the DOE, Quan’s project investigates chiral hybrid organic-inorganic semiconductors to improve light and spin control in next-generation spintronic and optoelectronic devices. This research aims to address the challenge of maintaining spin polarization without external magnetic fields. Quan’s team’s recent work, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (2024), shows that these chiral semiconducting materials offer enhanced chiroptical polarization efficiency, potentially revolutionizing low-power electronics, information processing, and data storage. 

“Our research will focus on developing materials with strong spin-orbit coupling and extended spin lifetimes—two critical attributes for the advancement of spin-based technologies. Big picture, we want to advance the fields of energy storage and energy conversion,” said Quan.

An Interdisciplinary Approach for a Promising Future

This research aligns with the DOE Office of Science’s mission to develop new materials that push the boundaries of microelectronics. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining spectroscopy, materials science, and theoretical analysis, Quan’s team aims to create a new platform of semiconductors for spin-optoelectronic technological applications.

“This project holds great potential for advancing fundamental science in the field of spintronics and optoelectronics,” Quan said. “By understanding the structural and electronic interactions that govern spin dynamics in these materials, we can open new pathways for the design of spintronic devices.”

Longterm, Quan also recognizes the lasting impact this award will leave on the graduate and undergraduate students that work within her lab. 

“I would view this award as a valuable encouragement for our young research group to push the boundaries of our field, while also supporting the growth of our graduate and undergraduate students. It will provide them with the skills and opportunities they need to pursue successful careers, whether in industry or academia,” said Quan.

This recognition underscores Virginia Tech’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge research in materials science and fostering the next generation of leaders in STEM fields, offering exciting prospects for both fundamental science and practical applications.