Non-technical Summary: The ability to store information and retrieve it in a non-destructive fashion is critical in health care (radiation dosimetry), information science (quantum data storage), and defense (anticounterfeiting). Photosensitive nanomaterials are uniquely suited as optical storage media because they have the potential to simultaneously afford high storage density, fast and non-destructive readout, and low energy consumption. Yet, the library of nanomaterials for real-world applications remains limited, because no definitive principles to design materials with the desired photosensitive response exist. With support from the Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program and the Electronic and Photonic Materials Program, both in NSF’s Division of Materials Research, Prof. Rabuffetti and his research team at Wayne State University explore new photosensitive nanomaterials in this research project. They investigate rules governing photosensitivity at the nanoscale through a combination of chemical and spectroscopic studies and from there develop design principles. In addition, this research provides opportunities for workforce development at both undergraduate and graduate levels and K-12 STEM outreach. Graduate and undergraduate students are trained in the synthesis and advanced characterization of optical nanomaterials. 6th through 9th grade students participating in the annual STEM Day hosted by Wayne State University are introduced to optical materials research