From November 17 to 20, 2026, Penn State University will host the Open Quantum Universe Workshop, an event designed to bridge cosmology with condensed-matter physics and quantum information science. The Gravity Theory Trust is supporting the workshop, which aims to address foundational questions in cosmology by uniting leading researchers from disparate fields. Organizers intend to encourage cross-disciplinary connections, building on Penn State’s existing strengths in condensed-matter theory.
Cosmology as Quantum System: Workshop Focus
The Open Quantum Universe Workshop at The Pennsylvania State University, supported by the Gravity Theory Trust, will be a focused event that aims to coordinate and stimulate significant recent interest in the understanding of cosmology as an open, out-of-equilibrium, quantum system. Organizers specifically aim to address foundational questions in cosmology, acknowledging that current cosmological frameworks struggle to fully account for observer-dependent horizons and dynamic expansion.
Penn State’s existing condensed-matter theory initiatives are being used to facilitate these cross-disciplinary connections, providing a foundation for collaborative research. This approach moves beyond simply discussing interdisciplinary work, and instead builds upon established strengths within the university’s research programs. “The goal of this workshop is to gather leading contributors to these topics from the cosmological side,” said Marcus Mohring, “and to foster cross-disciplinary connections.” This approach acknowledges properties inherent in the universe’s expansion and the role of observation, properties not easily integrated into existing models.
Source: https://www.lisamission.org/open-quantum-universe-workshop-november-17-20-2026-at-penn-state/
See today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.
