The new faculty members are joining an institution that has positioned its research enterprise around close partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Y-12 National Security Complex and the Tennessee Valley Authority. These relationships provide access to specialized facilities, large-scale computing, advanced materials laboratories and expertise in nuclear science and energy systems. University Chancellor Donde Plowman said the recruits were attracted by UT’s growing research ecosystem and by opportunities to work on problems with direct significance for Tennessee and the wider nation.

Among the most technology-focused appointments is Shaundra Daily, who is joining UT from Duke University as a professor in the College of Communication and Information. Daily studies artificial intelligence, human-centered technology and affective computing, a field that uses computational systems to recognize, interpret or respond to human emotions. Her work examines sociotechnical systems, meaning systems shaped jointly by technical tools, human users and social institutions. By designing technologies that improve participation and achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, she investigates how AI can become more inclusive rather than simply more powerful.

Deep Jariwala, arriving from the University of Pennsylvania in 2027 as the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices, will focus on materials and devices for next-generation computing, sensing and communications. His research is expected to explore how emerging materials can manipulate charge, light or other physical properties at very small scales. Such materials could support specialized chips for artificial intelligence, where conventional architectures increasingly face limits in energy consumption and processing efficiency. Quantum devices may also enable sensors capable of detecting subtle changes in magnetic fields, chemical environments or biological signals.

The university is also strengthening its research in digital health through the appointment of Graham Thomas, who joined UT from Brown University as a professor and center director in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Thomas studies methods for optimizing and delivering health interventions, using digital platforms and advanced analytics to understand behavior. His work includes weight management, eating patterns and physical activity. By analyzing data from mobile devices, virtual tools and other digital systems, researchers can examine how interventions work for different individuals and adjust them over time rather than relying on a single treatment approach for everyone.

Laurent Capolungo, who is coming from Los Alamos National Laboratory as a professor in the Tickle College of Engineering, brings expertise in computational materials science. His research uses multiscale modeling to predict how materials and structures behave under extreme conditions. Multiscale approaches connect phenomena occurring at atomic or microscopic levels with the performance of components that can be meters in size. This capability is particularly important for advanced manufacturing, nuclear energy and defense, where materials may encounter intense heat, radiation, mechanical stress or corrosive environments. Better simulations can reduce development costs while helping engineers design safer and more durable systems.

Sustainable materials and circular manufacturing will be advanced through the appointment of Orlando J. Rojas, who will join UT from the University of British Columbia as the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Circular Biomaterials. Rojas studies soft matter, a category that includes polymers, gels, colloids and biological materials whose physical behavior differs from that of rigid solids. His research contributes to the development of technical textiles and biomedical materials, while also examining how renewable or discarded biological resources can replace petroleum-based feedstocks. A circular approach aims to keep materials in productive use for longer, reducing waste and the energy required to manufacture new products.

Jeffery Tomberlin, joining the UT Institute of Agriculture from Texas A&M University as the Chancellor’s Excellence Professor, will bring his pioneering work on black soldier flies. The insects are efficient decomposers whose larvae can convert organic waste into protein-rich biomass and nutrient-containing residue. This process has potential applications in animal feed, fertilizer and waste management, making it a notable example of the circular bioeconomy. Tomberlin’s research also supports forensic entomology, which uses insect development and ecological patterns to help estimate the timing and circumstances surrounding death in criminal investigations.

Two additional appointments extend UT’s reach into precision medicine and population health. Carolyn Anderson, arriving from the University of Missouri as the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Nuclear Medicine: Radiopharmaceutical Therapies, develops radioactive compounds designed to diagnose and treat disease. Radiopharmaceutical therapy agents can carry beta- or alpha-emitting radionuclides directly to cancer cells, delivering highly localized radiation. Companion positron emission tomography agents can reveal where those compounds travel in the body, helping clinicians select treatments and monitor responses. Kimberly Powell, also from Missouri, joins the College of Nursing as an associate professor specializing in precision health for aging populations. Her work examines health data, telehealth and text-messaging interventions that could make care more responsive to older adults’ needs.

Together, the eight appointments represent a deliberate expansion of UT’s research portfolio rather than a collection of isolated hires. Their fields share a common reliance on data, advanced modeling, engineered materials and partnerships across disciplines. From AI systems designed around human needs to insects that transform waste, quantum materials that could reshape computing and radiopharmaceuticals that target cancer, the researchers are working on technologies with both scientific and societal consequences. UT officials say the appointments will create new opportunities for students while accelerating collaborations with national laboratories, industry and public agencies—an approach intended to turn the university’s growing research capacity into visible advances in health, energy, manufacturing and environmental sustainability.

Subject of Research: Artificial intelligence, quantum devices, digital health, computational materials science, circular biomaterials, black soldier flies, nuclear medicine and precision health.

Article Title: University of Tennessee Recruits Eight Researchers to Expand Innovation Across AI, Quantum Science and Health

Web References: https://research.utk.edu/research-strengths/; https://research.utk.edu/partnerships/; https://news.utk.edu/2026/04/08/ut-names-new-governors-chair-for-quantum-devices/; https://news.utk.edu/2026/05/06/ut-names-governors-chair-for-circular-biomaterials/; https://news.utk.edu/2026/07/27/ut-names-governors-chair-for-nuclear-medicine/

References: University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Y-12 National Security Complex; Tennessee Valley Authority.

Image Credits: University of Tennessee

Keywords: University of Tennessee, research priorities, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, digital health, computational modeling, biotechnology, sustainable materials, circular bioeconomy, nuclear medicine, radiopharmaceuticals, precision health, nursing, aging populations, black soldier flies.

Color centers are defects within a solid material that can emit light, making them incredibly valuable for quantum applications. The study highlights the mystery surrounding the intense luminescence exhibited by color centers at the SiO2/SiC interface. Through careful experimentation, the research team was able to unpack the complex energy level structure of these centers, a critical step for facilitating their use in quantum technologies. Understanding the mechanisms behind color center emissions enables researchers to tailor and optimize these materials for specific applications.

The research began with a foundational question: what is the origin of the remarkably bright color centers that have been observed at the SiO2/SiC interface? Previous investigations had established that various factors, including the annealing process after oxidation, could play significant roles in the formation of these centers. However, the relationship between energy level structures and luminescence was still poorly understood, leaving a crucial gap in the knowledge necessary to harness these defects in practical settings.

Researchers sought to clarify these unknowns by meticulously analyzing the energy levels of the color centers. Their findings suggest that these centers are uniquely formed during the oxidation of the SiC substrate. This process involves a complex interplay of physical conditions, including the temperature and partial pressure during oxidation, which influence the density and behavior of color centers and electron traps embedded at the interface.

The results of the study revealed a compelling correlation between the luminescence exhibited by color centers and the density of electron traps. The researchers identified a specific energy level range—between 0.65 to 0.92 electronvolts (eV) from the conduction band edge of SiC—where these color centers reside. Importantly, this identification was not arbitrary; it was based on systematic comparisons between the experimental observations and theoretical models, underscoring the rigor of the scientific inquiry.

At the heart of the findings is the suggestion that a particular defect related to carbon could serve as the most plausible candidate for the identity of these color centers. This interpretation aligns with broader theories in semiconductor physics and adds a layer of specificity to the ongoing discourse in the field. As practical applications for single-photon sources in quantum networks and computing advance, the evidence pointing towards a carbon-related defect paves the way for further exploration and validation.

Lead author Kentaro Onishi articulated the significance of this research, noting the long-standing challenge of unlocking the secrets of color centers at the SiO2/SiC boundary. His enthusiasm echoed the sentiments of his co-authors, including senior researcher Takuma Kobayashi, who articulated hope for the implications of their findings. As insights into color center behavior accumulate, so too does the potential for scalable quantum technologies that could redefine the landscape of electronics and photonics.

The ability to control and manipulate color centers with precision is essential for integrating such quantum devices into existing technologies. The compatibility of these centers with metal-oxide-semiconductor architectures enhances the practicality of applying these findings on a larger scale, ensuring that advancements can be smoothly transitioned into commercial and research applications. This bridging of theoretical research with practical outcomes highlights the ongoing endeavor to turn scientific discoveries into usable technology.

Quantum technology, known for its rigorous demands on accuracy and specificity, stands to benefit immensely from this research. The capacity to engineer color centers may lead to breakthroughs in areas such as quantum cryptography, where secure communications rely on the emission of single photons. The excitation levels and subsequent emissions of these photons could influence the design of devices that underpin secure data transmission systems.

The study’s implications extend beyond just technical specifications; they represent a pivotal moment in understanding the optical properties of materials at the nanoscale. As researchers continue to bridge the gap between fundamental science and applied engineering, new opportunities will arise for the creation of devices that can exploit the unique properties of color centers effectively. The groundwork laid by this research not only adds a layer of depth to existing materials science but also charts a path for future innovations that may arise from enhanced knowledge of color centers.

With each new study that unveils the secrets of materials at the atomic level, the prospect of practical applications grows more tangible. Researchers remain optimistic that continued investigation into the nature of these color centers will yield fruitful results, ultimately culminating in the realization of robust quantum systems that can be integrated into everyday technology. The journey toward understanding and applying quantum phenomena hinges on these discoveries, and the scientific community is set to benefit from the ongoing exploration of SiO2/SiC interfaces.

As the field of quantum technology evolves, it is imperative to maintain the momentum established by studies like this. The insights gained from exploring the energy levels of color centers provide a foundation for future work aimed at harnessing these unique properties in practical devices. In a world increasingly defined by technology, the intersection of theoretical research and practical application stands to offer some of the most exciting advancements of our time.

The work accomplished by the Osaka University research team is a testament to the collaborative spirit of modern science, demonstrating how interdisciplinary efforts can illuminate complex problems. By combining physics, materials science, and engineering, researchers can forge new pathways to understanding quantum phenomena. As the capabilities of quantum technology expand, bridging the gap between theory and practice will remain crucial in ensuring that these innovations contribute positively to society and the economy.

The journey toward fully realized quantum technologies will undoubtedly continue to unfold in the years to come, with the lessons learned from this study contributing to a richer understanding of materials that could underpin the devices of tomorrow. As the world watches the evolution of technology based on quantum principles, the insights from Osaka University’s research on color centers will undoubtedly play a significant role in steering the course of future innovations.

Subject of Research: Understanding the energy level structure and luminescence of color centers at SiO2/SiC interfaces.

Article Title: Insight into the energy level structure and luminescence process of color centers at SiO2/SiC interfaces.

News Publication Date: 27-Feb-2025.

Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0253294.

References: APL Materials.

Image Credits: Osaka University.

Keywords

Quantum technology, color centers, SiO2, SiC, single-photon emitters, luminescence, electron traps, semiconductor physics, quantum devices, photonics, nanotechnology, materials science.