Quantum Jet Engine Modeling at Rolls-Royce; $500m for Sandbox AQ; Questioning IBM quantum systems and more...
QC Trends Daily Newsletter for March 11, 2024
In today's Quantum Computing Trends Newsletter, we highlight the latest industry and research developments shaping the quantum computing landscape. Discover Rolls-Royce's venture into quantum-enhanced jet engines, Sandbox AQ's $500 million leap towards quantum-safe cybersecurity, and groundbreaking studies on qubit precision and processor performance. Plus, learn about upcoming events like the "Quantum Few- and Many-Body Systems in Universal Regimes" program.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Rolls-Royce, Riverlane, and Xanadu Secure Funding for Jet Engine Project
Rolls-Royce, Riverlane, and Xanadu have received over £900,000 in UK and Canadian grants for the CATALYST project, aiming to use quantum computing to model jet engine airflow. This collaboration seeks to merge quantum and classical computing to make quantum algorithm evaluation and implementation much faster, aligning with national quantum strategies.
The project leverages the partners' strengths in industrial applications, quantum algorithms, and hybrid computing to enhance future product design efficiency and speed…Read More…
Sandbox AQ Secures $500 Million to Advance Cybersecurity and Quantum Computing
Sandbox AQ, a company that emerged from Alphabet Inc, has secured $500 million in funding to advance its work in cybersecurity and other areas related to quantum computing. This startup is focused on helping businesses transition to new cryptographic standards that are secure against the potential future threats posed by quantum computers.
Sandbox AQ offers simulation software for drug and material development and is exploring quantum physics-based sensors for applications like heart monitoring and precise navigation. The company, chaired by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt…Read More…
Maybell Quantum Secures $25 Million to Scale Quantum Infrastructure Efforts
Maybell Quantum has secured a $25 million investment led by Cerberus Capital Management, with participation from existing investors like Lavrock Ventures, Caruso Ventures, Mark IV Capital, Decisive Point, In-Q-Tel, and Olive Capital. This funding will support scaling manufacturing and the opening of a new production facility.
Since its 2021 launch, Maybell became known for its Fridge and Big Fridge, and through initiatives like MayQ Labs in Denver and Copenhagen, which offer quantum research spaces. Chris Darby, from Cerberus, joins Maybell's Board, bringing extensive experience from his tenure at In-Q-Tel and focus on early-stage, security-enhancing technologies…Read More…
Vescent Raises $5 Million in Seed Funding to Accelerate Quantum Technology Growth
Vescent, a quantum technology firm, secured $5 million in seed funding led by Corporate Fuel and Caruso Ventures, aiming to fast-track product development, boost manufacturing, and expand its market…Read More…
RESEARCH
Examining Qubit Rotation Accuracy on IBM's Public Quantum Computers
This study examines the precision of rotating qubits (the basic units of quantum information) by π/2 around a random axis on IBM's public quantum computers. The researchers ran extensive tests and found that the actual outcomes deviate systematically from what theory predicts.
These deviations are small but significant, suggesting that the quantum gates (the fundamental operations on qubits) might not be performing perfectly.
The deviations were consistent across different devices and times, indicating a potential underlying issue with the technology rather than random errors. The paper suggests these findings could help improve the accuracy of quantum computing operations by identifying and correcting the causes of these deviations…Read More…
Enhancing Quantum Processor Performance through Optimized Manufacturing
Rigetti Computing is working on making quantum processors that don't lose a lot of energy, which is essential for advancing solid-state quantum technology.
The challenge they face is reducing the system's noise, especially the energy it dissipates, which is tough because there are many ways energy can be lost, and it's hard to tell small improvements apart due to the unpredictable performance of superconducting qubits. They tackled this problem by experimenting with different manufacturing techniques on 242 superconducting resonators and qubits, focusing on how these techniques affect energy loss.
Their findings show that combining several small enhancements in the manufacturing process can significantly improve the qubits' performance, with some of the best ones lasting over 110 microseconds before losing energy…Read More…
Trouble Explaining QC Concepts to Students? Try Grover’s Algorithm with a Colony of Ants
Big ideas with small subjects; a new new paper introduces a teaching model using an ant colony maze to make Grover’s quantum search algorithm, and key quantum mechanics principles like superposition, interference, and state collapse, understandable.
It aims to demystify quantum mechanics for future physicists, computer scientists, and engineers by illustrating how a colony of ants finds an exit in a maze, paralleling the algorithm's steps and encouraging a broader understanding of quantum technologies…Read More…
UPCOMING
Quantum Few- and Many-Body Systems in Universal Regimes
The "Quantum Few- and Many-Body Systems in Universal Regimes" program, taking place from October 7 to November 8, 2024, aims to foster interdisciplinary research among nuclear physics, atomic, molecular, and optical physics, and quantum information science communities.
Organized by leading researchers, it focuses on exploring and applying the principles of universality and unitarity in quantum systems, with a special emphasis on quantum simulations and information technologies. The program includes seminars and a workshop, and offers both in-person and virtual participation options, adaptable to potential pandemic-related changes…Apply Now…
It’s been a slower news day than most but we’ll be back tomorrow, stay tuned.