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Research

Research 

Energy and Sustainability issues are among the most critical and complex challenges of our time. Norfolk State University aims to become a research academic institution, recognized as a leading contributor to solving Energy and Sustainability problems.

The Norfolk State University community fosters an academic research environment unmatched in the Northeast. Norfolk State University is committed to harnessing these strengths to expand transdisciplinary research related to energy & sustainability. With more resources, more opportunities for collaboration, and a dedicated effort to track Energy and Sustainability research, Norfolk State University will amplify its current impact.

College of Science, Engineering, and Technology

Major Research Initiatives at NSU

CREAM–Center for Research & Education in Advanced Materials
NASA Glenn Research Center – University Research Center – $6,000,000

Principal Investigator: Dr. Sam Sun

Research Objectives:

  • Investigate & develop novel nano structured inorganic, organic, & polymeric opto‐electronic and photonic materials for future generation cost effective, lighter weight, more compact size, higher efficiency and higher capacity opto‐electronic & photonic device applications.
  • Investigate electron‐nuclear spin dynamics in high‐spin systems
  • Investigate electron‐nuclear spin dynamics in high‐spin systems.
  • Processing, fabrication, and characterization of organic, polymeric, & inorganic nano‐structured OE/OE materials & thin film devices via spin Coating MVD, PLD, etc.
  • Train students in chemistry & solid state physics relevant to materials science & engineering.
  • Collaborated with over 20 scientists from other academic institutions/ organizations, government labs, & high tech companies.

 

CREST –Center for Research Excellence in Science & Technology
National Science Foundation ‐10 years @ $8,000,000

Principal Investigator:  Dr. Carl Bonner

“Center for Photonic Materials Research (CPMR)”

NSU’s CREST Center named by NSF as one of the 2 best models of the program.

Collaborators:  University of Virginia; Purdue University; Institute of Synthetic Polymer Materials, Moscow, Russia; Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering & Electronics, Moscow, Russia; Stevens Institute of Technology, New Jersey; University of Central Florida

Research Areas:

  • Photonics
  • Spintronics
  • Nanomaterial

 

PREM–Partnership for Research & Education in Metamaterials:  Patnership for Photonic Metamaterials
National Science Foundation $2,800,000

Partnership with Cornell University & Purdue University Principal Investigator:  Dr. Mikhail Noginov

NSU’s PREM considered a best practice model for other NSF PREM programs.

Research Focus:

  • Magnetic Nanoparticles
  • Low‐loss Metamaterials (ranging from sub‐diffraction to imaging to information technology 

  • Creative Gaming and Simulation (CGS) Lab Summer Internship Program

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  • Ms. Genesis Facey, has been accepted in the Creative Gaming and Simulation(CGS) Lab Summer Internship Program at Norfolk State University.
  • Such intenship specializes in the design and development of modeling, simulation, visualization, and training technologies. Its work focuses on formal methods and data/visual analytics, often supporting educational initiatives like the award-winning Kwizopia SOL test preparation game.
  • Ms. Genesis Facey, recently was accepted into the EVNoir E-Mobility Fellowship Pipeline Program (Spring 2026).

  • The Department of Energy & Sustainability has partnered with EVHybridNoire to bring the E-Mobility Fellowship Pipeline Program to the Norfolk State University campus.

    The automotive industry is investing $500 billion into e-mobility (electric, connected, shared, and autonomous vehicles) with a growth projection of 2 million+ new jobs across the country. Currently, there is a lack of talent in the STEAM workforce, particularly in the e-mobility space. To bridge this gap EVHybridNoire developed a brand-neutral pipeline program between students and e-mobility companies/organizations.

  • Congratulations!!!!