The National Science Foundation has taken a significant step towards harnessing the power of quantum technology with the launch of its National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL). This ambitious project aims to create a decentralized national resource that will enable faster discovery and development of practical applications inspired by quantum-scale phenomena. The initial $5 million investment will fund five pilot projects, each led by experts from academia, industry, national labs, and government. These projects will lay the foundation for NQVL, which will provide a shared national resource to accelerate the translation of fundamental science into practical applications.
Acting NSF Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences Denise Caldwell emphasized that NQVL represents a new approach to facilitating the complex process of translating scientific ideas into fully developed technologies that benefit society. Erwin Gianchandani, NSF assistant director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, highlighted the importance of accelerating technological innovations into the market and training the American workforce for future jobs.
The five pilot projects will focus on developing cutting-edge quantum technologies, including a wide-area quantum network, trapped ion systems, programmable quantum computers, quantum sensors, and photonics-based quantum computing. Key institutions involved include Stony Brook University, Duke University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California Los Angeles, and Sandia National Laboratories, among others.
Advancing Quantum Information Science: The NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory
The United States National Science Foundation (NSF) has taken a significant step towards realizing the practical advantages and societal benefits of quantum-scale phenomena by announcing an initial $5 million investment in five pilot projects. These projects aim to create a foundation for the eventual development of the NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL), a decentralized national resource that will enable faster discovery and development of use-inspired quantum technologies.
The NQVL is designed to be a geographically distributed national resource, broadening access to specialized research infrastructure and allowing any qualified researcher or student to participate, regardless of their location in the United States. This approach marks a new direction for NSF, facilitating the complex process of translating new scientific ideas into fully developed technologies that benefit society.
The five pilot projects, each funded at $1 million, are led by quantum experts from diverse backgrounds spanning academia, industry, national labs, and government. These projects will conduct exploratory work to help build a foundation for NQVL’s eventual creation. The teams will be invited to compete for larger awards anticipated to fund NQVL’s design and development as a federated resource.
Pilot Projects: Exploring the Frontiers of Quantum Information Science
The five pilot projects are:
Wide-Area Quantum Network to Demonstrate Quantum Advantage (SCY-QNet)
Led by Stony Brook University, this project aims to build a long-distance 10-node quantum network to demonstrate quantum advantage through quantum communication and distributed quantum processing. This technological advancement would help enable secure and privacy-preserving long-distance communication systems.
Quantum Advantage-Class Trapped Ion System (QACTI)
Led by Duke University, this project will pursue the creation of a 256-qubit ion trap quantum computing system capable of running a wide range of quantum simulations and computations over the internet. This system would be controllable remotely, enabling researchers to access and utilize its capabilities from anywhere.
Deep Learning on Programmable Quantum Computers (DLPQC)
Led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this project seeks to develop quantum computing platforms with more than 100 qubits for error-corrected computing capable of complex many-body analysis. This would enable the solution of problems in chemistry, advanced materials, and physics.
Quantum Sensing and Imaging Lab (Q-SAIL)
Led by the University of California Los Angeles, this project aims to develop quantum sensors based on two-dimensional trapped-ion arrays. These sensors have the potential to substantially advance frequency metrology, with applications including telecommunications and navigation, terahertz imaging used in astronomy and medicine, and other areas.
Quantum Computing Applications of Photonics (QCAP)
Led by the University of New Mexico, this project’s goal is to make quantum computers on chips using monolithically integrated quantum photonics. The team aims to develop this technology into a commercially viable product through partnership with industry.
The Future of Quantum Information Science: NQVL and Beyond
The NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory has the potential to revolutionize the field of quantum information science by providing a decentralized national resource that enables faster discovery and development of use-inspired quantum technologies. As the five pilot projects progress, they will refine their methodology, create prototypes of quantum-based technologies, and advance their projects to the next stage.
The teams selected to receive NSF funding will be coordinated by a central hub that NSF expects to select later in the NQVL development process. The ultimate goal is to create a robust ecosystem for quantum information science research and development, driving innovation and advancing the field towards practical applications that benefit society as a whole.
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