Dr Stephen Brierley, founder of Cambridge-based quantum computing company Riverlane, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List 2024 for his contributions to quantum computing. Riverlane, established in 2016, is developing an operating system for quantum computing and is focused on solving the error correction problem in quantum computing. Brierley believes that quantum computers, which can significantly speed up the development of new medicines and technologies to reduce carbon emissions, will accelerate human progress.
New Year Honours 2024: Recognizing Achievements in Cambridgeshire
The New Year Honours List 2024 has once again recognized the contributions of individuals from Cambridge and Cambridgeshire as reported in the local news cambridgeindependent. The list includes a diverse range of professionals, from scientists and technologists to business leaders, musicians, and community figures. This article provides a guide to those from Cambridgeshire who have been honoured.
Dr. Stephen Brierley: A Pioneer in Quantum Computing
One of the notable figures on the list is Dr. Stephen Brierley, the founder of Riverlane, a company specializing in quantum computing research and product development. Dr. Brierley has been awarded an OBE for his services to quantum computing. He founded Riverlane in 2016 with the aim of solving the error correction problem in quantum computing. His belief in the potential of fault-tolerant quantum computers to accelerate human progress has driven the company’s partnerships with leading quantum hardware companies.
Riverlane: Advancing Quantum Computing
Riverlane, headquartered at St Andrew’s House in the heart of Cambridge, is currently leading a consortium that is designing an operating system for quantum computing. Dr. Brierley’s journey in quantum computing began with his PhD in quantum information, followed by a decade in the UK intelligence community. He moved to Cambridge in 2014 and worked as a senior research fellow at the University of Cambridge, leading major research projects in quantum computing until 2018.
Dr. Brierley’s Reaction to the Honour
Upon receiving the honour, Dr. Brierley expressed his humility and attributed the recognition to the collective efforts of his team at Riverlane, both past and present. He emphasized the transformative potential of quantum computing, particularly in healthcare and climate change. He believes that quantum computers will provide scientists and researchers with a new tool to test ideas that currently can only be tested in the laboratory, thereby accelerating the development of new medicines and technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
Riverlane’s Mission: Solving Quantum Computing’s Central Challenge
Dr. Brierley’s passion for quantum computing has been a driving force in his career for the past two decades. At Riverlane, his team is focused on solving the central challenge in quantum computing: correcting errors during computation. Quantum bits, or qubits, are extremely fragile, and without active error correction, their potential cannot be fully realized.
Dr Brierley said: “I’m humbled to receive this honour for my work on quantum computing at Riverlane. It really belongs to the many people who have been leading the charge at Riverlane – both past and present.
“The ability to harness the power of the atom to build a computer will be transformative for healthcare and climate change. A quantum computer will be a new tool enabling scientists and researchers to test ideas on a computer that today can only be tested in the laboratory – vastly increasing the speed of development for new medicines and technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
“Ever since I first learnt about quantum computing two decades ago I have wanted to make this happen sooner!
“At Riverlane we are doing this by solving the central challenge in quantum computing – which is to correct errors during the computation. Quantum bits are really fragile and without active error
Summary
Dr Stephen Brierley, founder of a quantum computing research company, has been awarded an OBE for his contributions to the field of quantum computing. His work focuses on the development of a quantum computer, a tool that could significantly speed up the development of new medicines and technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
- The New Year Honours List 2024 includes several individuals from Cambridge and Cambridgeshire, including scientists, technologists, and business leaders.
- Dr Stephen Brierley, founder of Riverlane, a quantum computing research and product development company, has been awarded an OBE for his contributions to quantum computing.
- Riverlane, founded in 2016, focuses on solving the error correction problem in quantum computing, a crucial challenge in the field.
- Dr Brierley believes that fault-tolerant quantum computers will significantly advance human progress and is partnering with leading quantum hardware companies to achieve this goal.
- Riverlane is currently leading a consortium to design an operating system for quantum computing.
- Dr Brierley emphasises that quantum computing could revolutionise healthcare and climate change solutions by enabling faster development of new medicines and technologies to reduce carbon emissions.
