October 2022: Dr Jain organized a workshop in Maine

Associate Professor of Physics Menka Jain and the Institute of Materials Science is co-organizing a workshop-28th International Workshop on Oxide Electronics (IWOE) in Maine during 2nd -5th October. The IWOE series has become an important venue to discuss recent advances and emerging trends in this developing field. The aim of the workshop was to provide an interdisciplinary forum for researchers – theorists as well as experimentalists – on understanding the fundamental electronic and structural properties and also on the design, synthesis, processing, characterization, and applications of (epitaxial) functional oxide materials. Results of critical scientific importance as well as studies revealing the technological potential of functional oxide thin films to create devices with enhanced performance were showcased. The other committee members are: https://iwoe28.events.yale.edu/committees

The program of the workshop can be found here: https://iwoe28.events.yale.edu/program

Dr. Jain designed the logo of the workshop as well.

The full abstract book of the talks and posters can be found at https://iwoe28.events.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/Abstract%20book_draft.pdf

August 2022

Dr. Jain along with Co-PI Dr. I. Sochnikov received 2-year EAGER National Science Foundation grant entitled “New Quantum Elastocaloric Demagnetization Refrigeration for the Millikelvin Range”. A major focus of their research will be the cooling of quantum chips. For this purpose, their teams will study ‘spin liquids’, which can be harnessed to achieve millikelvin temperatures without magnetic fields. At such low temperatures, quantum phase transitions drive cryocooling. This research uses novel techniques to induce and tune these types of phase transitions. In the future, this research will transform our ability to build energy-efficient, large-scale quantum computers.

November 2021

Dr. Jain among two Physicists in Project ‘Daedalus’ that Focuses on Materials for Aerospace in New $4.7 Million Contract

UConn’s collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is launching a new program consisting of eight interconnected projects. This third phase entitled “Multiscale Modeling and Characterization of Metamaterials, Functional Ceramics and Photonics.” is a $4.7 million contract. It seeks to explore and advance the understanding of electronic, photonic, magnetic, and multiferroic variable space, focusing on their applications in the aerospace industry. Two experimental condensed matter physicists Drs. Menka Jain and Ilya Sochnikov will contribute in understanding of magnetic and multiferroic materials and collectively receive more than $1M funding for 3 years.

UConn’s Project Daedalus Focuses on Aerospace Electro-Optics in New $4.7 Million Contract

CLAS DEI

Our submission to the CLAS Funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, titled Supporting Minorities in Physics Through Seminars, Peer Groups, and Outreach.” has been funded for Spring 2022!! Co-PIs on this proposal are Belter Ordaz and three graduate students: Lauren Gorman, Bjorn Larsen, and Debadarshini Mishra. Big congratulations to the entire team!!