Search
Menu
Deposition Sciences Inc. - Difficult Coatings - LB - 8/23

UT Austin’s Li Receives 2018 TAMEST O’Donnell Science Award

Facebook X LinkedIn Email
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 17, 2018 — Xiaoqin Elaine Li, an associate professor in the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Physics is the recipient of the 2018 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Award in Science from the Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST).

Xiaoqin Elaine Li"The TAMEST Edith and Peter O'Donnell Awards showcase the best and brightest among Texas researchers," said Gordon England, president of TAMEST. "Their work is helping to advance science and open new pathways to discovery. We're proud to recognize Dr. Xiaoqin Elaine Li for her achievements." 

Li 's research focuses on the interaction of light and matter at the nanoscale in quantum materials. Her innovative work has helped create and control materials that can emit one photon at a time. The creation and manipulation of these materials could open the door to major advances in energy, communications and computing.

"Dr. Li's research makes a number of things potentially possible, one being completely secure communications," said Jack L. Ritchie, department chair and professor in the department of physics at UT Austin. "She is doing the kind of foundational research that could lead to new types of improved solar cells and perhaps ultimately build new types of computers."

Meadowlark Optics - Building system MR 7/23

Li has made seminal contributions at the frontier of quantum phenomena in solids and the interaction of light and matter on the nanoscale. Her research addresses the following grand challenges and questions: Can individual electrons be controlled for use as building blocks for information processing devices such as quantum computers? Can the quantum coherent properties of electrons be harnessed to improve the efficiency of energy transfer processes, ultimately leading to better solar cells and lasers? Can one design artificial materials in nanoscales that exhibit properties that simply do not exist in naturally available materials?

To answer these questions, Li has performed some of most challenging experiments in controlling individual electrons in quantum-confined materials. She has implemented sophisticated ultrafast optical spectroscopy methods to unravel the intricate interaction and quantum phenomena in materials. More recently, her group has worked on the assembly and characterization of artificial molecules that exhibit exotic properties. In addition, her group has taken on completely new research directions on investigating magnetic materials that may lead to a new generation of thermoelectric applications or improved memory devices based on topological spin texture.

TAMEST is the state's premier scientific organization, bringing together Texas' leading scientists and researchers. TAMEST membership includes all Texas-based members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the state's Nobel Laureates.

Published: January 2018
Glossary
quantum
The term quantum refers to the fundamental unit or discrete amount of a physical quantity involved in interactions at the atomic and subatomic scales. It originates from quantum theory, a branch of physics that emerged in the early 20th century to explain phenomena observed on very small scales, where classical physics fails to provide accurate explanations. In the context of quantum theory, several key concepts are associated with the term quantum: Quantum mechanics: This is the branch of...
nano
An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
Businesseducationresearch and developmentXiaoqin Elaine LipeopleUniversity of Texas at AustinUT AustinEdith and Peter O’Donnell AwardAcademy of Medicine Engineering and Science of TexasTAMESTawardsquantumnanoMaterialsAmericas

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.