UMD Receives $10.3 Million Federal Recovery Act Grant for New Advanced Physics Lab

COLLEGE PARK, MD - The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced the award of a $10.3 million construction grant for the University of Maryland to build a 21,000 square foot Laboratory for Advanced Quantum Science. The new underground lab space will be located in the planned Physical Sciences Complex to be completed in 2013. The grant was part of a $123 million nationwide series of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants to support the construction of new scientific research facilities at 11 universities and one non-profit research organization.

"This grant award is an incredible investment that will allow the University of Maryland to continue to be a leader of research and discovery in this exciting field," stated Congressman Steny Hoyer. "This funding is not just a research generator, it is also a jobs generator and an example of how the Recovery Act is continuing to work to create jobs and support economic growth, while investing in our communities." 

"The University of Maryland is extraordinarily pleased to be partnering with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on another groundbreaking project, the Laboratory for Advanced Quantum Science" said UM President C. D. Mote, Jr. "This remarkable laboratory will allow researchers to greatly improve  our fundamental understandings of quantum science,  with important implications for an array of technologies. The University's strengths in physics, quantum, and atomic and molecular optics will play essential roles in these processes."

The Laboratory for Advanced Quantum Science will primarily support the work of the Joint Quantum Institute, a collaboration of NIST, the University of Maryland and the National Security Agency's Laboratory for Physical Sciences, which studies phenomena in atomic, molecular and optical physics, condensed matter physics, and quantum information. Quantum science contributes to our basic understanding of the universe, but also can fundamentally affect such practical issues as cryptography, advanced computing, and the design and use of sensors based on new technologies. The lab has been specifically designed to provide the exquisite control of research space modern quantum science-the lasers, for example, often must be physically stabilized to restrict motion from vibration or thermal expansion to less than a few nanometers.

In addition to satisfying the core objectives of the Recovery Act - creating and saving jobs and investment in infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits - this and the other projects were chosen on the basis of the scientific and technical merit of the proposals, the need for federal funding, design quality and suitability for the intended purpose, and the strength of the project-management plan.