# CAREER: Low-Valent Metal Qubits for Quantum Information Science

> **NSF 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · University of Rhode Island (RI) · $609,539

## Abstract

With support from the Chemical Synthesis Program in the Chemistry Section, Professor Daniel N. Huh of the University of Rhode Island will develop a new class of molecule-based quantum compounds, known as molecular qubits, using group 4 metals (titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), and hafnium (Hf)) and rare-earth elements to advance quantum information science. By controlling the electronic structure of these metals, this project seeks to understand and mitigate electron spin decoherence in molecular inorganic complexes. Over the project period, systematic variations in metal identity and ligand environment will be used to elucidate how molecular structure governs quantum coherence in low-valent group 4 and lanthanide systems. In parallel, the program places an emphasis on education and outreach by developing accessible quantum science resources for the Rare Earth Research Conference (RERC) Summer School, contributing open-source teaching materials through the Virtual Inorganic Pedagogical Electronic Resource (VIPEr), creating classroom-ready modules for K-8 teachers in Rhode Island, and providing hands-on research and mentoring opportunities for high-school students through ACS Project SEED. Together, these efforts integrate fundamental research with workforce development to broaden participation and understanding in quantum science.

This research seeks to establish general design principles for molecule-based quantum systems by controlling how electronic structure influences spin coherence and relaxation. The program will investigate low-valent metal complexes and tune ligand platforms for quantum behavior, focusing on how coordination environment, symmetry, and periodic trends impact spin dynamics. Comparative studies across related metal systems will be used to identify how changes in electronic structure affect spin coherence, while complementary ligand architectures will provide additional control over relaxation pathways. In parallel, ligand encapsulation strateg

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2543425
- **Awardee organization:** University of Rhode Island (RI)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** CJDNG9D14MW7
- **PI:** Daniel Huh
- **Primary program:** 01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** CAREER-Faculty Erly Career Dev, QUANTUM INFORMATION SCIENCE, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
- **Estimated total:** $609,539
- **Funds obligated:** $609,539
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2026 → 06/30/2031

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2543425

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2543425, CAREER: Low-Valent Metal Qubits for Quantum Information Science. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-19 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2543425. Licensed CC0.

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