The quantum spin Hall effect was first proposed by Kane and Mele in 2005. In this video, LAURENS MOLENKAMP outlines how his team’s focus on mercury telluride has provided notable insights into this phenomenon. Conducting transport experiments on special semiconductors grown using a molecular beam epitaxy machine, Molenkamp’s findings include the identification of the quantum Hall effect in a three-dimensional topological insulator and the potential for topological superconductivity. With future applications in fields including quantum metrology and topological quantum computing, Molenkamp’s research continues to extend our understanding of the physical makeup of our universe.