Q-CTRL, a global leader in quantum technology, has partnered with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to explore quantum computing and sensing applications for geological sciences. The partnership, established under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, aims to apply quantum technologies to challenges in geophysics and environmental sensing.
Q-CTRL’s quantum control engineering will be used to develop quantum computers and sensors for real-world applications. The collaboration will focus on areas such as underground water resource management, polar ice-sheet monitoring, and natural hazard preparedness. The partnership will also explore quantum techniques like quantum gravimetry and quantum magnetometry. Q-CTRL CEO Michael J. Biercuk expressed excitement about the partnership.
Q-CTRL and USGS Partnership for Quantum Sensing and Computing Applications
Q-CTRL, a company specializing in quantum control infrastructure software, has entered into a partnership with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to explore potential quantum computing and sensing applications for geological sciences. The USGS is a scientific agency that researches Earth systems with the aim of providing scientific data to help people understand Earth, prepare for natural disasters, and manage the nation’s natural resources.
The partnership is established under a formal Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), marking the beginning of a transformative era in the application of quantum technologies to key challenges in geophysics and environmental sensing. Q-CTRL’s focus on quantum control engineering is essential to making quantum technologies useful for real applications including delivery of quantum computers capable of solving high-impact problems in logistics and data analysis and deploying quantum sensors in the field to extract previously unattainable insights.
The Role of Q-CTRL and USGS in the Partnership
Q-CTRL CEO and Founder Michael J. Biercuk expressed excitement about delivering a new generation of quantum technologies to an agency as essential as the USGS. The missions undertaken by USGS are critical to our economy and the resilience of our society now and in the future. The company’s special ability to address critical challenges in both quantum computing and quantum sensing through its globally unique technology opens new applications to advance USGS missions.
Jonathan Stock, Director of the USGS National Innovation Center (NIC), also expressed excitement about exploring quantum sensors and tools with industry. The partnership aims to set a new benchmark in geophysical exploration and environmental monitoring – both on Earth and beyond.
Potential Applications of Quantum Technology in Geophysics and Environmental Science
This collaboration is a foundational step toward developing practical applications for a broad range of national and global challenges. These include critical areas such as underground water resource management, polar ice-sheet monitoring, natural hazard preparedness, and the discovery and utilization of energy and mineral resources.
The partnership will utilize sophisticated quantum techniques, such as quantum gravimetry, quantum magnetometry, and quantum-enhanced logistics optimization to deliver previously impossible insights and solve previously intractable problems. The technology under exploration promises earlier detection of hazards, new ways to see through the earth to monitor sensitive water assets, and dramatic cost reduction in resource production.
Collaborative Innovation and Ethical Principles
In the spirit of collaborative innovation, Q-CTRL and the USGS will embark on workshops and field investigations to fully exploit quantum technologies’ capabilities. Both Q-CTRL and the USGS uphold a strong commitment to ethical principles and responsible innovation. As this partnership progresses, all developments will be conducted with a steadfast dedication to scientific integrity and benefit for the global community.
The U.S. Geological Survey provides science for a changing world, which reflects and responds to society’s continuously evolving needs. As the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, it collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding of natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. The USGS is composed of over 10,000 scientists, technicians, and support staff working at over 400 locations across the nation’s landscape.
About Q-CTRL
Q-CTRL’s quantum control infrastructure software for R&D professionals and quantum computing end users delivers the highest performance error-correcting and suppressing techniques globally, and provides a unique capability to accelerate the pathway to the first useful quantum computers and quantum sensors. Founded by Michael J. Biercuk in 2017, Q-CTRL has pioneered the quantum infrastructure software segment and has become the leading product-focused software company in the broader quantum sector.
“Q-CTRL is excited to deliver a new generation of quantum technologies to an agency as essential as the USGS,” said Q-CTRL CEO and Founder Michael J. Biercuk. “The missions undertaken by USGS are critical to our economy and the resilience of our society now and in the future. We are thrilled to be delivering transformational new capabilities with this important partner, and truly pushing the limits of human capabilities.”
Jonathan Stock, Director of the USGS National Innovation Center (NIC) said, “The USGS geophysics and computational community is excited to be exploring quantum sensors and tools with industry. Combined with other enabling technologies, quantum sensors may dramatically improve the ability to detect and assess resources and hazards in the undiscovered country of planetary subsurfaces, on our own world, and beyond. This is a frontier that will require public, private and international partners together to explore, and we are delighted to be exploring with Q-CTRL.”
Summary
Q-CTRL, a quantum technology company, has partnered with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to explore the application of quantum computing and sensing in geological sciences, potentially transforming geophysics and environmental sensing. The collaboration aims to develop practical applications for challenges such as underground water resource management, polar ice-sheet monitoring, natural-hazard preparedness, and the discovery and utilisation of energy and mineral resources.
- Q-CTRL, a global leader in quantum technologies, has partnered with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to explore quantum computing and sensing applications for geological sciences.
- The partnership is established under a formal Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), marking a new era in the application of quantum technologies to geophysics and environmental sensing.
- Q-CTRL’s quantum control engineering will be used to develop quantum computers for high-impact problems in logistics and data analysis, and to deploy quantum sensors for new insights.
- The collaboration aims to integrate quantum technology into environmental science and geophysics, addressing challenges such as water resource management, polar ice-sheet monitoring, natural-hazard preparedness, and energy and mineral resource discovery.
- Quantum techniques like quantum gravimetry, quantum magnetometry, and quantum-enhanced logistics optimization will be used to deliver new insights and solve previously intractable problems.
- Q-CTRL and USGS will conduct workshops and field investigations to exploit quantum technologies’ capabilities.
- Jonathan Stock, Director of the USGS National Innovation Center (NIC), expressed excitement about exploring quantum sensors and tools with industry.
- Q-CTRL was founded by Michael J. Biercuk in 2017 and has become a leading product-focused software company in the quantum sector.
