Mariam Mchedlidze

Mariam Mchedlidze is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Applied Physics at Rutgers University - Newark. She is a part of the Quantum Sensing lab, working under Dr. Xuejian Wu. Her research focuses on developing a quantum gravimeter to measure gravity, gravity gradients, and gravity curvature, with potential applications in geophysical exploration, detecting near subsurface density structures more spatially accurately, hydraulic fracture network detection for hazard mitigation and leak-off control, monitoring volcanic activity, and modeling Earth’s gravitational field.  

Her work involves building and operating laser and vacuum systems used for cooling and trapping Rb atoms and performing atom interferometry for precision gravity measurements, as well as developing experimental instrumentation and electronics. She also models ideal and practical objects and simulates their vertical and horizontal gravity components to demonstrate the advantages of high-order gravity gradients. Through the NJEDA Clean Energy Fellowship, Mariam looks forward to learning from industry leaders and applying her background to research that contributes to clean energy and environmental challenges.