Phasecraft has secured a $4.5 million contract from the U. S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E, initiating a project under the Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry program to develop quantum algorithms for catalyst discovery. The collaboration, which includes partners Johnson Matthey, Harvard, and QuEra, aims to lessen dependence on critical minerals like iridium, initially targeting low-cost hydrogen production with potential applications across multiple industrial sectors. Building on algorithms that have already demonstrated up to 43,000,000 times efficiency improvements in quantum materials simulation, Phasecraft will focus on hardware-adaptive approaches to deliver practical results. “Quantum computing is no longer a distant promise; it’s a working technology, and the question now is which problems it gets pointed at first,” said Ashley Montanaro, Co-Founder and CEO of Phasecraft.
ARPA-E Funds Phasecraft for Catalyst Discovery via Quantum Algorithms
A $4.5 million contract will fund Phasecraft’s work to apply existing quantum technology to address immediate challenges in the energy sector, specifically the discovery of improved catalysts. The project’s core aim is to diminish reliance on scarce and expensive platinum group metals, most notably iridium, which are crucial components in numerous industrial processes. Initial efforts will concentrate on reducing the cost of hydrogen production, with anticipated benefits extending to syngas production, petroleum refining, and metallurgy. Phasecraft’s approach builds upon demonstrated successes in quantum materials simulation, where their algorithms have already achieved a remarkable 43,000,000 times improvement in efficiency compared to previous quantum methods. This established foundation allows the company to tackle the complex problem of catalyst discovery with a proven, high-performance toolkit, and the collaboration extends beyond Phasecraft, incorporating partnerships with Johnson Matthey, Harvard, and QuEra, bringing together expertise in catalysis, academic research, and quantum hardware.
The focus on practical application is particularly noteworthy, as it prioritizes solutions that can function effectively with the current generation of imperfect quantum computers. Steve Flammia, Principal Quantum Scientist and head of Phasecraft US, explained the potential impact: “Cutting the iridium requirement in industrial electrolysis would meaningfully change the economics of hydrogen fuel and a wider class of catalytic processes that underpin energy security.” This isn’t simply about incremental improvements; the project aims to deliver substantial quantum speedups that could reshape iridium requirements within years, rather than decades, contributing to a more secure and affordable American energy system. The QC3 program reflects a broader U. S. government strategy to translate quantum computing’s technical promise into a competitive advantage across energy, the economy, and national security.
As industry and governments work together to realize the full promise of quantum computing, we are grateful that ARPA-E has chosen Phasecraft to help solve this critical set of problems on a meaningful timescale.
Ashley Montanaro, Co-Founder and CEO of Phasecraft
