Upcoming Events

Sep 2 2026

Colloquium: Christine McGinn (University of Illinois Chicago)

Wednesday, 3:00 pm–4:00 pm
238 2SES
Sep 16 2026

Colloquium: Mathew Cherukara (Argonne National Lab)

Wednesday, 3:00 pm–4:00 pm
238 2SES
Oct 14 2026

Colloquium: Kim Budil (Lawrence Livermore National Lab)

Wednesday, 3:00 pm–4:00 pm
238 2SES
Mar 10 2027

Colloquium: Prof. Kate Scholberg (Duke University)

Wednesday, 3:00 pm–4:00 pm
238 2SES
More Events

In the Spotlight

Display of a lead-lead collision, which produced two back-to-back jets (indicated by orange cones), recorded by the CMS experiment.
UIC researchers make a new breakthrough in studies of the universe’s most perfect fluid
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
The focus of the experimental program in High Energy Nuclear Physics is to understand the properties of the nuclear matter under extreme temperature conditions, such as those of the early Universe. Scientists use…
Effect of increasing pressure on electron localization in the body-centered cubic structure (top) and face-centered cubic structure (lower) of elemental sodium from 0 to 110 GPa (effectively 1 atmosphere to 1.1 million atmospheres). The electronic changes drive the formation of more complex structures under pressure in this and other elements.
Prof. Adrian Barkan receives 2026 Silver Circle Award
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Every year since 1996, UIC’s graduating seniors honor outstanding educators with the Silver Circle Award. This year, Prof. Adrian Barkan was chosen as one of the winners of the award.  He was also…
image of Harshul Gupta and Jongho Lee stand in front of a photo of the CMS experiment
Harshul Gupta and Jongho Lee named as Meenakshi Narain Graduate Scholar at the Fermilab LHC Physics Center (LPC) for 2026
Thursday, April 2, 2026
UIC PhD students Jongho Lee and Harshul Gupta have been named Meenakshi Narain Graduate Scholar at the Fermilab Large Hadron Collider Physics Center (LPC) for 2026. This program is aimed to support exceptional…
Superhydrides can conduct electricity at unprecedented temperatures without losing energy. Image courtesy of Russell Hemley.
UIC researchers image near-room-temperature superconductors
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
New research from the University of Illinois Chicago may help scientists move one step closer to developing superconductors that operate in ambient conditions at room temperature and pressure, a long-sought advancement in physics and engineering. Superconductors are materials that can conduct electricity without resistance,…
A colorized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image of a two-dimensional material called a MXene. This particular MXene, a combination of niobium, carbon and chlorine, was synthesized using a new
Research reinvents MXene synthesis
Friday, December 19, 2025
MXenes (pronounced like the name “Maxine”) are a class of two-dimensional materials, first identified just 14 years ago, with remarkable potential for energy storage, catalysts, ultrastrong lightweight composites, and a variety of other…
Researchers collaborate on the development of quantum technologies at the SQMS Quantum Garage, one of the world-class quantum research facilities developed by the center. (Photo: Ryan Postel/Fermilab)
Energy Department funding extends UIC, Fermilab partnership
Monday, November 24, 2025
Quantum information science is booming in Chicago. At UIC, coursework, clubs and collaborative research connect students with this cutting-edge technology. Thanks to a $125 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of…

Research Areas

The Department of Physics carries out world-class forefront research in seven main fields of study: applied laser, biological and soft matter, condensed matter, materials physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, and renewable energy.
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