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Nicole Yunger Halpern (Fed)
Nicole Yunger Halpern re-envisions 19th-century thermodynamics for the 21st century, using quantum information theory. Thermodynamics---the study of energy---was developed to describe large systems such as steam engines. In contrast, small and quantum systems dominate much of today’s science, from quantum computers to molecules. Nineteenth-century thermodynamics—including concepts such as heat work, and efficiency—needs updating for the 21st century. For more information, see Yunger Halpern's research-group website.
Visiting Positions
- Visiting Fellow, King’s College, U. of Cambridge. Sept.–Dec. 2026.
- Visiting Scholar, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Sept. 2018–Sept. 2021.
- Visiting Researcher, Oxford U. Dept. of Physics. Hosts: Profs. Vlatko Vedral and Jonathan Barrett. Sept.–Dec. 2013.
Awards
- Early-Career-Scientist Prize in Statistical Physics, International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, 2025.
- FemTum Leap Innovation Award, Quantum Innovation Summit, 2025.
- Katharine B. Gebbie Young Scientist Award, Sigma Xi, NIST Chapter, 2024. Awarded to 1 early-career NIST scientist annually.
- SN10: “Ten to Watch” List, Science News, 2024. 10 early and mid-career scientists selected from across the globe.
- Hermann Weyl Prize, International Colloquium on Group-Theoretical Methods in Physics, 2024.
- Mary Somerville Medal and Prize, Institute of Physics, 2023.
- US ASPIRE Prize, Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and US Office of Science and Technology Cooperation, 2023.
- PROSE Award, Association of American Publishers, 2023. For best book of the year in popular science and mathematics.
- International Quantum Technology Emerging Researcher Award, Institute of Physics Publishing, 2020.
- Ilya Prigogine Prize for Thermodynamics, Joint European Thermodynamics Conference, 2018–2019.