North Columbus News

A team of chemistry and physics researchers at The Ohio State University has received a $12 million award from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the NSF National Extreme Ultrafast Science Facility (NSF NeXUS) for the next five years.

NSF NeXUS enables researchers to study chemical and material dynamics on the scale of atoms and electron motion utilizing a first-in-the-U.S., high-power ultrafast laser. NSF invested in the facility’s construction as part of its mid-scale facility initiative in 2019, and now the NSF Division of Chemistry and Ohio State are supporting researchers from around the world who want to take advantage of its variety of experimental capabilities.

“The mid-scale program at NSF has created a new paradigm for science in the United States that is highly collaborative,” said Robert Baker, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and director of NSF NeXUS. “We envision NSF NeXUS becoming a center point for interdisciplinary collaboration where we provide the light and the operational expertise, and researchers come from all over with their own scientific questions and utilize the unique capabilities available at NeXUS to pursue cutting-edge ultrafast science.”

NSF NeXUS provides researchers with access to a suite of technologies that they can use to study chemicals, biomolecules, photovoltaics, energy storage materials, quantum information materials, and the fundamental physics underlying these systems. Ohio State staff, ranging from research scientists and engineers to technicians and management, will support researchers in their planning and execution of experiments. With this support, researchers from diverse fields can propose and complete experiments they would not be able to complete in their own laboratory.

The facility builds on Ohio State’s long-standing strengths in advanced laser systems, spectroscopy, chemical dynamics, and materials science with a newly renovated laboratory featuring high-precision climate control and a separated control room for safety.

“Most researchers have never had access to lasers and analysis stations like NSF NeXUS offers,” said Louis DiMauro, professor of physics and deputy director of the facility. “We’re excited to welcome researchers from around the world and help them make breakthrough discoveries.”

NSF NeXUS hosts an annual user workshop on campus to share research results from its users and broaden interest in the facility. The group has established partnerships with Florida International University, Central State University, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to work with their faculty and students to provide training in its technologies and research. Staff will also engage with students and the central Ohio community to promote understanding of chemistry, physics, materials science, and laser technology.

The NSF’s Mid-scale Research Infrastructure program (Mid-scale RI-1) supports implementing research infrastructure with total project costs between $4 million and $20 million. The Mid-scale Program seeks to broaden representation among PIs (Principal Investigators)and institutions in its award portfolio while emphasizing strong scientific merit. It aims to fulfill a national need by enabling U.S. researchers to be competitive globally.

To learn how to apply to become an NSF NeXUS user or for more information about NSF NeXUS visit nsf-nexus.osu.edu/users/become-a-user-2 or nsf-nexus.osu.edu.