Faculty Profile

Dr. Liangzi Deng’s research centers on experimental condensed matter physics, spanning superconductivity, magnetism, topological materials, and nonequilibrium states. His group combines extreme-condition synthesis and processing, advanced characterization, and AI-enabled discovery to explore emergent quantum phenomena and develop next-generation quantum materials.

A key focus is developing pressure-quench protocols that stabilize metastable quantum phases created under high pressure and retain them at ambient conditions. By preserving pressure-induced or pressure-enhanced superconducting and other quantum states after pressure-quenching, his group makes previously inaccessible phases available for detailed study and practical use—opening new paths toward discovering metastable quantum matter and achieving ambient-pressure high-temperature superconductivity.

The group also investigates how nonequilibrium states can be engineered to achieve functionalities impossible under equilibrium conditions. Current work spans superconductors, topological and magnetic materials, thermoelectrics, and other correlated-electron systems, aiming to uncover new quantum phases and establish processing-structure-property relationships. Alongside this, the group builds innovative experimental platforms and integrates AI/machine learning with physics-guided design to accelerate materials discovery, identify promising metastable states, optimize synthesis, and deepen understanding of complex quantum systems.

Dr. Deng’s long-term goal is to reveal the microscopic mechanisms behind high-temperature and room-temperature superconductivity, establish general principles for engineering metastable quantum matter, and translate these discoveries into transformative technologies for energy, electronics, quantum information, and sensing. His research is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary, bringing together students and researchers across physics, materials science, chemistry, engineering, and artificial intelligence.