Supporting the U.S. Physical Sciences

December 12, 2023

Abstract Reactor Tokamak — image: @koto_feja | iStock

Open Access Government looks at supporting the U.S. Physical Sciences in the U.S., including research on superconductivity, high energy physics, and quantum information science

The Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is dedicated to pursuing scientific knowledge and critical scientific tools to revolutionize our understanding of the natural world and advance the nation’s energy, economy, and national security.

Funding the U.S. Physical Sciences

The Office of Science is the biggest federal agency that funds basic science in the Physical Sciences in physics, materials, computers, and chemistry. They support research activities at a wide range of institutions, from universities to national laboratories, to ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation, a crucial element of The Office of Science’s work. It is also the leading federal agency for promoting basic scientific research in the energy field. (1)

Explaining superconductivity

At this juncture, consider the Office for Basic Energy Sciences role, which has promoted research on high- temperature superconducting materials since they were discovered. According to what we’ve heard, the study involves theoretical and experimental investigations to respond to questions concerning superconductivity and find new materials.

“Even though a complete understanding of the quantum mechanism is yet to be discovered, scientists have found ways to enhance superconductivity (increase the critical temperature and critical current) and have discovered many new families of high-temperature superconducting materials,” we are told.

Of course, each new superconducting material allows scientists to get closer to figuring out “how high- temperature superconductivity works and how to design new superconducting materials for advanced technological applications.”

Have you ever wondered how superconductivity came to be? Did you know that it wasn’t until 1911 that it was discovered? It was by Heike Kamerlingh-Onnes. This discovery of the liquefaction of helium, among other achievements, won him the 1913 Nobel Prize in Physics. I find it fascinating that five Nobel Prizes in physics have been awarded for superconductivity research (1913,1972, 1973, 1987, and 2003).

“Approximately half of the elements in the periodic table display low temperature superconductivity, but applications of superconductivity often employ easier to use or less expensive alloys. For example, MRI machines use an alloy of niobium and titanium,” we hear. (2)

High energy physics

“High energy physics explores what the world is made of and how it works at the smallest and largest scales, seeking new discoveries from the tiniest particles to the outer reaches of space,” is a concise summary of high energy physics by the DOE.

Let’s check out a recent example of research funding from the DOE from October 2023 concerning 80 projects in high-energy physics. The allocation of $137 million covers the entire scope of high-energy physics research in experimental and high energy physics fields

Notably, this mission inspires young minds, equips an expert workforce, and pushes forward innovation that improves America’s health, wealth, and safety.

“Our office is proud to continue to fund cutting edge research in diverse topics in high energy physics. This research will allow us to make new advancements in our understanding of the universe,” says Regina Rameika, DOE’s Office of Science Associate Director for the Office of High Energy Physics.

Projects encompass advances in muon and neutrino science, quantum mechanics of black holes, and a variety of other topics related to intensity, energy, and cosmic frontiers. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN is one of the selected projects. The LZ (LUX -ZEPLIN) Experiment is another. (3)

Quantum information science

The DOE also announced in October 2023 $11.4 million for six quantum information science (QIS) related to fusion and plasma science. The FES (Fusion Energy Sciences) program promotes fundamental research to advance knowledge of matter at very high temperatures and densities and to create the scientific basis for developing a fusion energy source.

“The convergence of quantum science, fusion energy, and plasma science is an exciting and revolutionary emergent area of discovery and broader impact,” said Associate Director of Science for FES, Jean Paul Allain.

This announcement provides funding for projects that “will advance quantum algorithms relevant to fusion and plasma physics on existing and near-term quantum computers.” In addition, projects will develop new high- sensitive measurement methods for plasmas and investigate using high-energy-density physics techniques for the discovery and synthesis of novel QIS materials. (4)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is the most significant federal funding source for basic science in the Physical Sciences. Still, we’ve only seen a few examples of this funding here: superconducting, high-energy physics, and quantum information sciences. There’s no doubt much more to discuss regarding supporting the U.S. Physical Sciences.