Description of Request

Submitted By: Yves Idzerda, Dean of College of Letters & Science

With a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation, Montana State University and the University of Arkansas will establish the MonArk Quantum Foundry to accelerate the development of quantum materials and devices. The foundry will assist those studying 2D materials for quantum technologies by creating tools to aid their research and infrastructure to facilitate the exchange of ideas across academia and industry. The foundry will team with industrial partners including Montana Instruments and HighRI Optics to create two 2D Quantum Materials Pipelines, one based at MSU and one at UA. The pipelines will feature specialized robotics to test different pressures and application speeds for adhesives, examine the resulting 2D layer under a microscope, and use artificial intelligence to analyze the conditions. Once optimized for a material, the instruments will have the ability to lift a single layer repeatedly and mount layers on a specialized surface for study.
In consulting with the Dean of the College of Letters and Science (CLS) as well as the Dean of the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering (NACOE), the basement in Barnard Hall, room 008 and 008D, have been identified as appropriate spaces to begin the first phases of the Quantum Foundry. This would require the relocation of several Mechanical & Industrial Engineering (MIE) labs and researchers, including Dr. Dilpreet Bajwa and Dr. Yaofa Li. Barnard 234 and 234A have been identified as new lab space for Bajwa and Li’s research activities, with space in Barnard 136 also being allocated. Currently, Physics is storing lab equipment in Barnard 234, with Barnard 234A being occupied by graduate students. The Dean of CLS has agreed to vacate room 234/234A for use by MIE as part of the reallocation of 008/008D in its entirety to the Quantum Foundry project. Some of the existing equipment in 234 will be utilized in the Quantum Foundry and some items will be disposed of, with graduate students being relocated.

 

Resolution

Date: December 3, 2021

Space Management Committee has approved the allocation of Barnard 008/008D to the Quantum Foundry, and Barnard 234/234 to MIE.