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The University of Colorado Boulder Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) is a joint program between NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology) and 91´«Ã½. It offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to delve into cutting-edge research in various fields. Through collaborating with NIST, participants gain hands-on experience in projects shaping the future of science and technology.

Below are some of the latest research publications featuring PREP students, showcasing their contributions to fields ranging from quantum computing to telecommunications. This is by no means an exhaustive list, as PREP participants continue to publish new findings.

A Deep Dive into Self-Assembled Quantum Dots with Zixuan Wang and Poolad Imany

Participants Zixuan Wang and Poolad Imany, along with NIST researchers, explored called quantum dots, which have the potential to revolutionize quantum technologies. Their study, published in , focuses on embedding these dots in special soundwave structures to reduce noise—unwanted disruptions that can affect performance. This research is important because it helps make quantum devices, like super-fast computers, more stable and reliable. While Poolad Imany has recently left the PREP program, his contributions alongside Zixuan’s set the stage for future advancements in this field.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:

A New Material with Super Strength for Electronics

Working with NIST scientists, PREP associate Thomas Kolibaba’s research, published recently in , is about creating stronger and safer materials for electronics. He worked on a new kind of material called a , which can handle extreme electric forces without breaking down. This makes it a great candidate for use in batteries and electrical circuits. Kolibaba’s work could lead to new materials that are more efficient and longer-lasting in electronic applications.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:

Making Sense of Data: Improving Signal Processing

Xifeng Lu and NIST experts are helping to improve the way we analyze complex data using . This research, published in , is essential for things like communications, where it’s important to understand and interpret signals—such as sound waves or radio frequencies—in real time. Xifeng’s work could have major impacts on a range of fields, from improving wireless networks to enhancing the precision of scientific instruments.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:

Tiny Optical Devices That Could Transform Telecom

In collaboration with NIST scientists, PREP participant Jizhao Zang’s research focuses on a new type of optical device called a , which has the potential to improve technologies like telecommunications and sensors. These microcombs are difficult to produce, but Zang’s study, published in

Cooling Down Quantum Computers with Light

Working with NIST experts, PREP associate Jenny Wu is developing for keeping quantum computers cool called Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT). Quantum computers need to be kept at extremely low temperatures to function properly, and Wu’s research involves using light to help with that cooling process. By studying trapped ions (charged particles) and how they behave in different conditions, her work, published in Physical Review A, contributes to making quantum computers more reliable and practical for real-world applications.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:

Improving 5G and LTE Networks and Testing Wireless Device Coexistence

PREP participant Nadia Yoza Mitsuishi, along with NIST researchers, is working on how to make 5G and LTE networks—two types of wireless communication systems—. As our world becomes more connected, these networks need to coexist without interfering with each other. Recently published in , Mitsuishi’s research uses software-defined radios to measure how these networks interact, helping engineers design better systems for future wireless communications. Her work could lead to faster and more reliable internet for everyone.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:

Mitsuishi also worked on a with NIST researchers looking at testing how wireless devices can coexist without interfering—a critical issue as our world becomes more connected. In this study, Mitsuishi and the team compared two methods of testing: conducted (where wires physically connect devices) and radiated (where signals are sent through the air). The team showed how these testing methods can reveal different strengths and weaknesses in wireless systems by simulating real-world scenarios, such as a wireless emergency stop system coexisting with Wi-Fi networks.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:

Better Electronics with 3D-Integrated Materials

PREP participant Tomasz Karpisz’s research with NIST scientists explores that can improve how electronic devices work, especially at very high frequencies. By studying the electrical properties of 3D-integrated layers in glass, Karpisz is helping to create better designs for devices like smartphones, computers, and even quantum computers. His work, recently published in the for the 2024 IEEE/MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, focuses on making sure these materials perform well in advanced technologies, leading to more efficient and powerful electronics.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:

Controlling Tiny Quantum Bits for Better Computers

In collaboration with NIST scientists, PREP associate Justin Niedermeyer is working on improving the way we control quantum bits (qubits)—the basic units of quantum computers. By developing to individually address and read the state of each qubit, Niedermeyer’s research, recently published in , helps make quantum computers more accurate and easier to scale up. This kind of precise control is key to building larger, more powerful quantum computers that could revolutionize industries like medicine, finance, and cybersecurity.

Find the full study here at the NIST website:

Tiny Switches for the Future of Quantum Computing

PREP associate Elizabeth Sorenson’s work, collaborating with NIST experts, focuses on improving MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) switches, which are used in a variety of applications, including quantum computing. These tiny switches need to be reliable, especially when used in extreme conditions like very low temperatures. Sorenson’s research, published recently as a for the IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Advances in Cryogenic Engineering helps ensure that these components can handle the demands of future quantum computing systems, making her work a critical step toward creating more dependable technology.

Find the full study here at the NIST website: