While just over a century ago most technologies used a handful of materials (e.g., glass, wood, concrete, and some alloys), modern society now relies on thousands of complex crystalline compounds that are optimized for specific tasks. This is largely due to advances in quantum mechanics that were implemented at the interface between physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering, where superconductors, semiconductors, and permanent magnets are now commonplace examples. The phenomena that they exhibit are indispensable for providing a high quality of life; e.g., for magnetic resonance imaging, motors, and smart phones. However, there remain many challenges relating to sustainability, health, the economy, and security that these ‘classical’ quantum materials have not been able to address.

This motivates efforts to develop the next generation of materials, where there is the promise for fundamental insights that will drive advanced applications. In particular, we are focused on quantum materials with entangled degrees of freedom (lattice, charge, spin and orbital). Examples include systems with: (i) strong electronic correlations, (ii) protected topologies that emerge from symmetry constrained band structures, and (iii) electronic/magnetic frustration due to the presence of multiple degenerate ground states. Individually, these areas have all attracted strong interest – and rapid progress in now anticipated in examples that combine these features in new ways. This has been recognized by the United States National Academy of Sciences, as well as international competitors, and is believed to be foundational for progress in basic science and applications: e.g., in materials for quantum computing and sensing. Other areas that will be impacted by our research include superconductors for fusion, particle accelerators and magnetic resonance imaging and green energy applications such as thermoelectrics, permanent magnets, and magnetocalorics.