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Zeila Zanolli has been appointed full Professor of Theory & Simulations of Quantum Materials at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��. The primary objective of the new academic chair is advancing theory and simulation techniques to design quantum materials and exploit their fundamental properties for developing sustainable technologies. This is important, because technology based on classical materials, such as silicon, are reaching their physical limits and come with huge energy demands. Quantum materials offer a possible solution; they enable technologies that are more powerful and energy efficient.

“Materials are driving the major advances in human civilisation”, claims Zanolli in one of her . “We even name the historical eras after the material that dominated the time, such as Stone Age and Iron Age. Right now, we live in the Silicon Age. All the technology that surrounds us, contains silicon. We are approaching the limits of this technology, because the energy use is very high.”

A quantum era

The material that will overcome this issue and shape the new age is not a single material, but a class of materials, called quantum materials, according to Zanolli. The key properties of these materials are dominated by the rules of quantum mechanics. This gives rise to unique phenomena, such as superconductivity and topological phases. Researchers are looking for ways to exploit these phenomena, so that they can be used in real-world applications, such as quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensors.

Computational experiments cost very little and bring you so much

Making a case for theory

Zanolli is heavily involved in large national and international research collaborations, such as QuMat and Quondensate. As a professor, she will focus on theory and simulation techniques to design quantum materials and explore their fundamental properties. Her aim, specifically, is to strengthen theoretical studies in quantum materials, because this is the key to new technologies, she believes.

“Quantum Materials are at the crossing point of several disciplines: physics, chemistry, computing science, mathematics. I think there is prejudice about what theory and computational science can bring you”, she says. “The codes that we build, can be combined with systematic workflows to automate the simulations, allowing one to predict properties of thousands materials at once. This would take forever in real experiments, and at a much higher cost. Computational experiments cost very little and bring you so much.”

I have had many successes, but every day, I face some sort of failure. Gather constructive feedback, improve yourself, and grow stronger

Concerns

Despite her busy schedule as a researcher and teacher, Zanolli is also passionate about science policy. For instance, for the past five years, she was a board member and treasurer of the Young Academy of Europe, an initiative of a group of young scholars that provides input and advice to shape EU-wide policy. Issues Zanolli has been concerned about, involve open science, recognition and rewards, the limited number of women in apical positions, and the lack of permanent research positions.

Currently, she is concerned about the massive budget cuts in the Netherlands, which deeply affect the quality of education and the investment in fundamental research. “Research ideas need time to grow. Without a strong long-term investment, there will be a technological and societal decline”, she thinks.

Overcoming obstacles

To empower young researchers in this heavy climate, Zanolli shares a few inspirational final words: “I have had many successes, but every day, I face some sort of failure. In our work, we constantly need to overcome many types of obstacles: those related to the research itself (things that do not function, hard concepts to understand, etcetera) but also rejection of grants or scientific articles. It is essential not taking these events as a personal attack (on your own capacity as a researcher, for instance) and, instead, turn them into a learning experience. Gather constructive feedback, improve yourself, and grow stronger.”