2024-2025 P3 Faculty Fellows

Information technology (IT) automation, which refers to the use of software to repeatable instructions and processes to reduce human interactions with IT systems, is an important technique for digital innovation. For example, the RedHat Linux system can automate manual configurations and simplify day-to-day administration. However, the service provider can typically only provide a single common solution for every end user and does not have access to users’ data, which may not be satisfactory for each user. This research aims to design innovative approaches to create a common foundation model for the service provider which only requires lightweight adaptation to obtain personalized models for different IT companies, in a private-preserving manner. Therefore, each company can easily adapt the common foundation model for their tasks. The research will promote resource equality and diversity among IT organizations and individual end users, and improve the sustainability and security of the digital society.

Partners:

Dr. Wei Zhang, Senior Research Scientist, IBM T. J. Watson Research Center

This proposal aims to create a chip-scale radio frequency (RF) electric field sensor using rubidium atoms excited into “Rydberg” states. The unique quantum properties of these atoms allow for highly sensitive detection of electric fields, which is crucial as the RF spectrum becomes more crowded and vulnerable to interference. By using innovative fabrication techniques at Mason’s Nanofabrication Facility and photonic chip design at Leidos Inc., we will develop a sensor that is compact, energy-efficient, and highly resistant to interference such as electromagnetic pulse attacks. The technology has the potential to significantly improve the performance of RF sensors, reducing their size and power consumption. This advancement will benefit industries such as telecommunications, defense, and autonomous systems, offering improved detection capabilities, increased resilience, and more efficient use of the RF spectrum, ultimately contributing to more robust and reliable communication and sensing technologies.

Partners:

Ethan Ahn, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Elizabeth Iwasawa, Quantum Technology Group Lead, Leidos Inc.

Bradley Moores, Quantum Photonics Lead, Leidos Inc.