QuEra joins three teams in ARPA-E's $37m quantum chemistry programme

[HeartbreakKidOscar97]

QuEra Computing scientists are co-principal investigators on three of the nine teams chosen for ARPA-E's Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry programme, known as QC3. HPCwire carries QuEra's announcement. QC3 is a three year, $37 million US Department of Energy programme announced in March

The programme has demanding goals. Teams must find an energy related chemistry problem with enormous potential impact, measured as a quadrillion BTU of energy or a gigaton of carbon dioxide equivalent. They then aim for a scalable 100 times improvement over the best classical methods, validated at around 100 logical qubits

QuEra is involved in three projects. SuperKIQ, led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, is searching for high temperature superconductors. MAGNETIQC, led by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, is looking for strong, lightweight magnets. A third project, led by Phasecraft with Johnson Matthey and Harvard, aims to improve hydrogen electrolysis and reduce reliance on the rare metal iridium

Five of the nine lead teams run their own hardware, and QuEra is the outside hardware partner for three of the remaining four. That says a lot about how its neutral atom machines are viewed. QuEra's roadmap targets 1,000 logical qubits by 2029. Shengtao Wang and Stefan Ostermann of QuEra are quoted

These are exactly the kind of problems where quantum computers could make a real difference, with clear benefits for energy and the environment. Setting concrete targets, like a 100 times improvement at 100 logical qubits, keeps the work honest. It will be fascinating to see which teams get closest

Which of these chemistry problems do you think quantum computers will crack first? And is 100 logical qubits enough to show real advantage?

Quera Joins 3 Teams In Arpa E Quantum Computing For Chemistry Programwww.hpcwire.com

[AnthonyCribb]

High temperature superconductors would be a world changing discovery. Classical simulation struggles with strongly correlated materials. This is exactly where quantum computers should shine. Room temperature superconductors remain the holy grail of materials science

[Neuer31]

Concrete targets like 100x at 100 logical qubits are refreshing. Too many programmes have vague goals. This one makes success and failure clear

Measurable goals keep everyone honest. Programmes without targets tend to produce papers rather than progress

[NeverQuitRoss81]

Reducing reliance on iridium for electrolysis matters a lot. Iridium is incredibly rare and expensive. Cheaper green hydrogen would help the energy transition enormously. Green hydrogen costs depend heavily on electrolyser materials

Cheaper catalysts could change the economics completely. That would be a real win for climate goals

[OffsideTrap]

Thirty seven million dollars over three years across nine teams is not huge. It is enough to make serious progress, though. ARPA-E tends to fund bold ideas. Government seed money often attracts private investment afterwards. Results here could shape much larger future programmes