Partners
Argonne National Laboratory
The partnership with Argonne National Laboratory dates back to the founding of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, creating world-class opportunities for students and faculty. Argonne boasts leading scientists, technology, and facilities like the Advanced Photon Source, the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, and the Center for Nanoscale Materials. UChicago PME faculty, many with joint appointments at Argonne, collaborate with the lab’s researchers.
Chan Zuckerberg Biohub
Members of the CZ Biohub Network, including faculty members at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, partner to advance science and develop technologies that help understand how cells and tissues function, which increases our understanding of human health and disease.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Fermilab has worked to answer fundamental questions and enhance our understanding of everything we see around us. As the United States' premier particle physics laboratory, they work on the world's most advanced particle accelerators and dig down to the smallest building blocks of matter. They also probe the farthest reaches of the universe, seeking out the nature of dark matter and dark energy. The University of Chicago and Universities Research Association (URA), along with industrial partners, owns a management and operating contract for Fermilab.
A strategic partnership between the University of Chicago, the University of Tokyo, and Google includes Google investing up to $50 million over 10 years to accelerate the development of a fault-tolerant quantum computer and to help train the quantum workforce of the future.
IBM
IBM and the University of Chicago offer Duality startups resources and support to develop quantum software and explore algorithms and applications that could help unlock the potential of quantum computers. This includes access to the IBM Quantum System Two planned to be deployed at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). Selected startups will be provided with funding from IBM, as well as access to IBM’s quantum computers over the cloud and technical expertise.
Indian Institute of Technology
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and the University of Chicago announced a science and technology partnership to promote cooperation in fields such as quantum information science, climate and energy, advanced microelectronics, artificial intelligence and data science. IIT Bombay also has joined the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) as an international partner.
IonQ
In November 2025, IonQ and UChicago announced a landmark agreement to establish IonQ Center for Engineering and Science on campus and deploy a dedicated next-generation quantum computer and IonQ entanglement distribution quantum network. The agreement includes a major research initiative to accelerate the development of novel quantum technology by University of Chicago researchers, ultimately strengthening quantum computing, quantum networking, quantum sensing, and quantum security technology. Research areas include quantum hardware for computing, networking, sensing, and security, and quantum applications for chemistry, materials science, optimization, security, and advanced communication protocols.
Seoul National University
The University of Chicago partners with Seoul National University to pursue collaboration in the field of quantum science and engineering, advancing field-defining research and education in this pivotal area. This partnership helps bring together scientists from all over the world to unlock the profound potential of quantum technology.
Tohoku University
Japan’s Tohoku University and the University of Chicago partner to fuel quantum research and grow the international quantum workforce. The Chicago-Tohoku Quantum Alliance focuses on research in quantum sensing, quantum communication, and new materials development, and work to promote student exchange, industry partnerships and start-ups.
University of Tokyo
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME) has an academic and research partnership with the University of Tokyo, particularly focused on quantum information science and engineering. This collaboration involves joint research efforts, including projects aimed at advancing quantum computing.
Facilities
Argonne National User Facilities
Argonne National Laboratory is home to five national user facilities, which enable scientific users from universities, national laboratories, industry and federal agencies to carry out experiments and pursue ground-breaking discoveries that would otherwise not be possible.
Argonne Quantum Loop
The Argonne Quantum Loop consists of a pair of connected 26-mile fiber-optic cables that wind circuitously between Argonne to the Illinois tollway near Bolingbrook, IL, and back. At 52 total miles, it is currently among the longest ground-based quantum communication channels in the country. The loop will serve as a testbed for researchers interested in leveraging the principles of quantum physics to send secure information across long distances.
Biological Sciences Division Core Facilities
The Biological Sciences Division oversees and operates a range of core facilities for researchers.
ChemMatCARS
ChemMatCARS, supported by a National Science Foundation grant, operates three experimental stations in the areas of advanced small-molecule crystallography, liquid surface and interface scattering, and small to wide-angle scattering. Located at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) on the campus of Argonne National Laboratory, ChemMatCARS’ instrumentation provides information that addresses a broad range of issues in chemistry and materials research.
Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)
The University of Chicago Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), directed by Prof. Stuart Rowan, drives innovation by tackling some of the deepest intellectual challenges of materials research through interdisciplinary and highly collaborative efforts united with a strong commitment to education and outreach. The MRSEC offers, in addition to its intellectual talent, a range of facilities for making, characterizing, measuring, and imaging many types of materials and samples. Most facilities are headed by professional, PhD-level technical staff who maintain and improve the equipment, perform measurements, prepare samples, and train researchers.
Midwest Integrated Center for Computational Materials
The Midwest Integrated Center for Computational Materials (MICCoM) develops and disseminates interoperable computational tools - open source software, data, simulation templates, and validation procedures - that enable simulations and predictions of properties of materials for low-power electronics and for quantum technologies.
Physical Sciences Division Core Facilities
The Physical Sciences Division offers several core facilities and services to enable scientific research for scientists and physicians campus-wide.
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The University of Chicago's Polsky Center is a 60-person professional staff responsible for advancing all University of Chicago entrepreneurship and research commercialization innovation activities through the creation of new ventures and partnerships. By igniting a spirit of innovation and fostering connections that extend across the University, city, region and world, the Polsky Center enables more ideas to have a meaningful impact on society.
Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility
The Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility (PNF) is an ISO Class 5 cleanroom that specializes in advanced lithographic processing of hard and soft materials. The PNF is located in the Eckhardt Research Center at the University of Chicago. The PNF is also proud to partner with Northwestern University in the NSF-supported Soft and Hybrid Nanotechnology Experimental (SHyNE) resource.
Single Cell Immunophenotyping Core
The Single Cell Immunophenotyping Core (SCIC), also referred to as the Self-Service Genomic Core, is a user-operated, full-service facility that provides researchers with access to advanced instrumentation for genomic studies, with a specialized focus on single-cell immunophenotyping and genotyping of immune cells.
Soft Matter Characterization Facility
The Soft Matter Characterization Facility (SMCF) is a core user facility of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Located in the William Eckhardt Research Center, the SMCF maintains a suite of specialized instruments dedicated to study the structure, properties, and dynamics of soft materials. We are open to both internal and external users.