NSF CREST PROGRAM

The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program provides support to enhance the research capabilities of minority-serving institutions (MSI) through the establishment of centers that effectively integrate education and research. MSIs of higher education denote institutions that have undergraduate enrollments of 50% or more (based on total student enrollment) of members of minority groups underrepresented among those holding advanced degrees in science and engineering fields: African Americans, Alaska Natives, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Pacific Islanders. CREST promotes the development of new knowledge, enhancements of the research productivity of individual faculty, and an expanded presence of students historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. CREST Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (PRF) awards provide research experience and training for early career scientists at active CREST Centers. HBCU-RISE awards specifically target HBCUs to support the expansion of institutional research capacity as well as the production of doctoral students, especially those from groups underrepresented in STEM, at those institutions.

Center for Research and Education in Quantum-leap Science and Technology (CREQS)

Norfolk State University estashblished the multidisciplinary CREST Center for Research and Education in Quantum-leap Science and Technology (CREQS) for development of new quantum based technology and for the education of the 21 st century quantum science workforce with emphasis on the production of scientists and engineers from groups historically underrepresented in STEM discipines. 

 

Capabilities

10,000 square-foot Class 100/1000 (ISO Class 5/6) Cleanroom

• Electron beam lithography
• Scanning Electron Microscope
• Transmission Electron Microscope
• Atomic Force Microscope
• Electron Spin Resonance
• Photolithography

Laser spectroscopy labs

Major facilities include:

• 100 fs at 80 MHz Mai Tai Laser Oscillator
• 100 fs at 1 kHz, 5 W Laser Amplifier
• Two 100 fs, 390-1600nm  TOPAS Prime/NirUVis OPA’s  (2nd to be installed in the fall)
• Laser Direct Write

DOD Instrumentation Grant

NSU successfully leveraged a DOD Instrumentation grant to purchase x-ray equipment for materials characterization.

• Ultra-Low Temperature X-Ray Diffractometer for Determination of Crystal Structures down to 12 K.
• Laue X-ray orientation of bulk single crystals
• Precision wire saw
• Precision crystal polisher

Powder X-ray diffractometer - Temperature range = 12-300 K

LAUE X-Ray Diffractometer

NSF MRI Grant

PEAQS successfully leveraged an NSF MRI Instrumentation grant to purchase a Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurements System (PPMS).

• Ultra-Low-Temperature measurement of quantum transport properties of materials and devices down to 50 mK.
• Magnetic fields of up to 14 Tesla.

Quantum Design PPMS - Temperature range = 50mK - 300 K - Magnetic Fields up to 14 T