FEATURE
phenomena, including the transfer
ofmatter from one place to another
without occupying intermediate
space.His current project builds on
the prior research and takes it in a
new direction by applying geometry
and topology, themathematical
study of shapes and spaces, to under-
stand quantum transport.
The research is theoretical, and
significant for its potential applica-
tions to the burgeoning fields of
nanotechnology and atomtronics.
Asminiaturization creates circuits
and devices thatmanipulatematter
at the level of single atoms and elec-
trons, nanotechnology, the science
thatmakes this possible, will become
increasingly essential.Things on
the nanoscale are of the size of one-
billionth of ameter.To put it in
perspective, a red blood cell, which
is 2.5micrometers, is equivalent to
2,500 nanometers.
Matter behaves differently at the
nanoscale, where strange quantum
laws dominate.Das’ research is part
of an intense international effort
to understand and harness this
realm for practical use.His work
is also integral to the creation of
THE PHYSICSOF
SUCCESS
A
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRANT
HAS RAISED THE BAR ON RESEARCH IN THE KU PHYSICS DEPARTMENT.
On the top floor of KutztownUni-
versity’s BoehmScienceCenter,DR.
KUNALDAS peers into themyster-
ies of the quantumworld.
A physicist and author of “The
QuantumGuide toLife,”which
examines how the laws of physics
explain everyday life,Das was recently
awarded a three-year, $120,000
National Science Foundation
(NSF) grant to fund his research
onhow electrons and atomsmove
innanostructures andmicroscopic
waveguides.
“TheNSFhad beenhit with its
biggest budget cut in recent times,”
Das recalled. “Formy program, the
funds were cut inhalf. I was amazed
that I even received the grant.
After all, I was competing with
institutions likeHarvard and the
Massachusetts Institute of Tech-
nology.The fact that I was awarded
the grant under such stringent cir-
cumstances speaks to the value of
my research.”
This isDas’ second consecutive
NSF research grant obtained entirely
onhis own; he received the first in
2010, a three-year award for $153,755,
to investigate exotic quantum
“
INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY
IS A KEY COMPONENT OF
WHAT I LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING STUDENTS.”
—DR. KUNAL DAS
BY: ESTHER SHANAHANM’16 PHOTOGRAPHYBY: DOUGLASBENEDICT
atomtronics, an emerging field,
which aims to replace electrons with
ultracold atoms in circuits.Our
future could see technology harness
atomic current alongwith electricity.
Indirect applications for this
research include developing quantum
computers, which are crucial for
encryption technology, and for
advancing capabilities in cell biology.
Control at the nanoscalemeans the
ability to directlymanipulate human
cells, which is relevant for targeted
therapies of ailments like cancer or
autoimmune diseases.
Being chosen forDas’ research
groupmeans an opportunity to be at
the forefront of cutting edge science.
The placement record of students
who have already graduated speaks
for itself –Das’ students have been
accepted to doctoral programs at
some of the best physics institutions
in the country, includingCornell
University, BrownUniversity, the
University ofWisconsin-Madison
and theCollege ofWilliam and
Mary. In 2012, one of his students
spent part of the summer at CERN,
theEuropeanOrganization for
Nuclear Research inSwitzerland,
andwas present for the announce-
ment of theHiggs boson particle.
WhenKU students apply to top
graduate schools for physics, institu-
tions take notice.
“I don’t think I would have been
