Robert Streubel, assistant professor of physics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, has earned five years of funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). His grant of nearly $850,000 is among NSF’s prestigious CAREER Awards. He’s also part of the Emergent Quantum Materials and Technologies (EQUATE) collaboration, supported by NSF via Nebraska EPSCoR.
Streubel’s new project, Short-Range Order as Design Parameter for Topological Magnetism, began in September 2025. The research aims to identify factors that affect magnetic properties of non-crystalline solid-state materials, for possible use in future microelectronics. According to Streubel, the short-range order of disordered atoms in magnetic metals and non-magnetic semiconductors impacts the onset of magnetism and resistivity in how magnetic films function. His team will investigate the potential of manipulating these materials and measuring outcomes.
A facet of this work relates to neuromorphic computing: design of computer hardware and software to mimic the structure and function of the human brain, using artificial neurons and synapses. This exploration may yield computing that’s more energy-efficient and with faster data handling for tasks like pattern recognition and real-time learning.
With this support, Streubel will also:
- extend an outreach program integrating physics and art visualization to engage high school students, by growing youth curiosity in fundamental physics;
- develop a new advanced characterization graduate course to address real-world physics problems; and
- provide mentoring to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students.
This project is jointly funded by NSF’s Condensed Matter Physics Program, the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), and the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences’ Office of Strategic Initiatives.
Above: during an EQUATE outreach event in 2024 at UNL Morrill Hall, Robert Streubel (left) demonstrates a magnetics activity for a visiting family.
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