Airbus, BMW Group and Quantinuum, companies specialising in mobility and quantum technologies, have developed a hybrid quantum-classical workflow to expedite future quantum computer research. This research focuses on simulating quantum systems, particularly the chemical reactions of catalysts in fuel cells. The collaboration has resulted in a technical paper titled “Applicability of Quantum Computing to Oxygen Reduction Reaction Simulations”.
The paper details the accurate modelling of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the surface of a platinum-based catalyst. The ORR is a chemical reaction that converts hydrogen and oxygen into water and electricity in a fuel cell. However, it is a relatively slow process that requires a large amount of platinum catalyst, limiting the efficiency of the process. Therefore, there is significant interest in better understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in the reaction.
Using Quantinuum’s H-Series quantum computer, the team has demonstrated the applicability of quantum computing in an industrial workflow to enhance our understanding of this critical chemical reaction. The three companies plan further collaboration to explore the use of quantum computing to address relevant industrial challenges.
Quantum Computing and Material Research
Dr Peter Lehnert, Vice-President of Research Technologies at BMW Group, emphasised the importance of quantum computing in researching new materials. Quantum computing can enable faster and more efficient processes while reducing lab prototypes. Simulating material properties to relevant chemical accuracy with the benefits from the accelerating quantum computing hardware is a significant tool for innovation in this decisive domain.
As a key player in the global automotive market, BMW Group recognises the transformative potential of quantum computing. Accurately simulating one of the most fundamental electrochemical processes for the first time using quantum computing marks a substantial step towards the sustainable energy transition. This benefits fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and other products with enhanced efficiency.
Quantum Computing in Aviation
Isabell Gradert, Vice-President Central Research & Technology at Airbus, highlighted the benefits of the study in their quest for sustainable and hydrogen-powered alternatives. Airbus has identified hydrogen as a promising candidate to power low-carbon aircraft, as it emits no CO2 when flying when generated from renewable energy. The company has plans to start testing a hydrogen-powered fuel cell propulsion system onboard its ZEROe demonstrator aircraft in the next few years.
Airbus aims to develop the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft for market entry by 2035. The study confirms that quantum computing is maturing at the scale needed for aviation.
Quantum Computing in Industrial Workflows
Ilyas Khan, Chief Product Officer, Quantinuum, expressed excitement about supporting the BMW Group and Airbus in integrating quantum computing into their industrial workflows. Both companies recognise that quantum computing could play a pivotal role in advancing future sustainable mobility.
The research team hopes that understanding the ORR reaction provides insights that help them identify alternative materials that may improve performance and reduce the production costs of fuel cells. Modelling chemical reactions such as the ORR accurately is a challenging task for classical computers due to the quantum properties of the chemical mechanisms involved. This makes such simulations a good candidate to benefit from a potential quantum advantage in the future.
The Future of Quantum Computing in Sustainable Mobility
The collaboration between Airbus, BMW Group and Quantinuum signifies a significant step towards applying quantum computing in sustainable mobility. The research has demonstrated the potential of quantum computing in enhancing our understanding of critical chemical reactions, researching new materials, and integrating into industrial workflows.
The future of quantum computing in sustainable mobility looks promising, with further collaboration planned to explore its use in addressing relevant industrial challenges. The research team hopes that their work will provide insights that help identify alternative materials to improve performance and reduce the production costs of fuel cells.
Dr Peter Lehnert, Vice-President of Research Technologies at BMW Group, stated: “Circularity and sustainable mobility are putting us on a quest for new materials to create more efficient products and shape the future premium user experience. Simulating material properties to relevant chemical accuracy with the benefits from the accelerating quantum computing hardware is giving us just the right tools for more speed in innovation for this decisive domain.”
Isabell Gradert, Vice-President Central Research & Technology at Airbus said: “We can clearly envision the benefits of the study in our quest for sustainable and hydrogen powered alternatives such as the ZEROe aircraft, which may operate on fuel cell engines. The study confirms that quantum computing is maturing at the scale we need for aviation.”
Ilyas Khan, Chief Product Officer, Quantinuum said: “We have been excited to be working for some time now to support the BMW Group and Airbus, both leaders in their fields, and both of whom recognize that quantum computing could play a pivotal role in advancing future sustainable mobility. In this pioneering work, we demonstrate how to integrate quantum computing into the industrial workflows of two of the world’s most technologically advanced companies, tackling material science problems that are a prime target for progress using quantum computing.”
Executive Summary
Airbus, BMW Group and Quantinuum have developed a hybrid quantum-classical workflow to accelerate research into simulating quantum systems, specifically focusing on the chemical reactions in fuel cells. This collaboration has demonstrated the potential of quantum computing in enhancing our understanding of critical chemical reactions, marking a significant step towards sustainable energy transition and more efficient processes in creating new materials.
- BMW Group, Airbus, and Quantinuum collaborate to accelerate sustainable mobility research using quantum computers.
- The partnership has developed a hybrid quantum-classical workflow to simulate quantum systems, focusing on the chemical reactions of catalysts in fuel cells.
- Using Quantinuum’s H-Series quantum computer, the team has accurately modelled the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the surface of a platinum-based catalyst. The ORR is a key process in fuel cells, converting hydrogen and oxygen into water and electricity.
- Dr Peter Lehnert of BMW Group and Isabell Gradert of Airbus highlighted the potential of quantum computing in researching new materials and enhancing sustainable mobility.
- Ilyas Khan of Quantinuum emphasised the role of quantum computing in advancing future sustainable mobility and integrating it into industrial workflows.
- The research aims to identify alternative materials to improve performance and reduce the production costs of fuel cells.