Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) will become the first university to house an IBM Quantum System One, with operations starting in January 2024. This will form the basis of a new IBM Quantum Computational Center in partnership with RPI. The venture, representing a $150 million investment, is supported by Curtis R. Priem, vice chair of RPI’s Board of Trustees and co-founder of NVIDIA Corp. The quantum computer will be part of RPI’s new Curtis Priem Quantum Constellation, a research centre. The 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle processor will power the IBM Quantum System One.
“Today’s quantum computers are novel, scientific tools that can be used to model problems that are extremely difficult, and perhaps impossible, for classical systems, signaling that we are now entering a new phase of utility for quantum computing,”
Darío Gil, Senior Vice President and Director of IBM Research.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is set to become the first university globally to house an IBM Quantum System One. The IBM quantum computer, expected to be operational by January 2024, will form the basis of a new IBM Quantum Computational Centre in collaboration with RPI. The partnership aims to significantly enhance students’ and researchers’ educational experiences and research capabilities at RPI and other institutions. It also aims to boost the Capital Region’s appeal for talent and accelerate New York’s growth as a technology hub.
The move into quantum computing research represents an investment of over $150 million, supported by philanthropic contributions from Curtis R. Priem ’82, vice chair of RPI’s Board of Trustees. The new quantum computer will be part of RPI’s new Curtis Priem Quantum Constellation, a faculty-endowed centre for collaborative research. This centre will prioritise hiring additional faculty leaders who will utilise the quantum computing system.
“We are grateful for Curtis Priem’s support. RPI is building upon our longstanding collaboration with IBM to harness state-of-the-art computing to find solutions to global challenges while training the next-gen workforce in quantum,”
Marty A. Schmidt ’81, PhD, President of RPI.
Quantum Computing and its Potential
Quantum computers utilise the laws of quantum mechanics to process information. They may solve problems too complex for classical supercomputers, such as advancements in computational science research, artificial intelligence, and materials. The IBM Quantum System One to be deployed at RPI will be powered by the 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle processor. IBM has recently demonstrated the processor’s capability to perform utility-scale calculations. IBM defines utility scale as the point at which quantum computers could serve as scientific tools to explore a new scale of problems that remain intractable for classical methods.
RPI’s History and Future in Advanced Technology
RPI has a long history in advanced technology and is home to one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, the Artificial Intelligence Multiprocessing Optimised System (AiMOS). With a peak processing speed of 11.03 petaFLOPS, AiMOS is currently the most powerful private university-based supercomputer in the United States. The IBM POWER9 CPU and NVIDIA GPU-equipped supercomputer enable users to explore new AI applications.
The new quantum computational centre will benefit the Capital Region and the State of New York by dramatically enhancing the area’s research capabilities. The aim is to transform the Hudson River Valley into a ‘Quantum Valley’. The Capital Region is a major centre of global semiconductor R&D and manufacturing and key to other emerging industries like quantum computing. The region is home to one of the most advanced R&D facilities at the Albany Nanotech Complex, where cutting-edge research is happening, like IBM’s development of the world’s smallest semiconductor chip.
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is America’s first technological research university. Rensselaer encompasses five schools, over 30 research centres, more than 145 academic programs, 25 new programs, and a dynamic community comprising over 6,800 students and 110,000 living alumni.
IBM provides global hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting expertise. They help clients in more than 175 countries capitalise on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain a competitive edge in their industries. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to their clients.
“Our new quantum computational centre will benefit the Capital Region and the State of New York by dramatically enhancing our area’s research capabilities. We look forward to working with our partners in the region to transform the Hudson River Valley into ‘Quantum Valley.'”
said Marty A. Schmidt ’81, PhD, President of RPI.
“We expect this collaboration to continue to have tremendous impact for the area’s growth as a corridor of innovation, from New York City to the Capital Region. We are thrilled to collaborate with RPI as we continue to nurture the global quantum ecosystem of tomorrow.”
Darío Gil, Senior Vice President and Director of IBM Research.x
“The Capital Region is a major center of global semiconductor R&D and manufacturing and key to other emerging industries like quantum computing,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “The region is home to one of the most advanced R&D facilities at the Albany Nanotech Complex, where cutting-edge research is happening like IBM’s development of the world’s smallest semiconductor chip. The region is also home to premier research institutions like RPI, and under the leadership of President Marty Schmidt, RPI is continuing its 200-year legacy as one of the top technological universities. What a great new feather for the region’s cap to have the first IBM Quantum System One placed on a university campus! This sets the Capital Region and Upstate New York apart and will be an asset to recruit and retain talent locally, and help train students in high-value careers.”
“RPI’s quantum computational center will be installed as we begin to celebrate our 200-year history of innovation. From a pedagogical and research standpoint, the potential exists to accelerate breakthroughs that could benefit the New York region and the world,” said John E. Kelly, ’78G, ’80Ph.D., D.H.L. (Hon.), Chair of the Rensselaer Board of Trustees.
Summary
“Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) will become the first university globally to house an IBM Quantum System One, with the quantum computer expected to be operational by January 2024. This move, representing an investment of over $150 million, will enhance educational experiences and research capabilities, and is part of RPI’s vision to transform the Hudson River Valley into a ‘Quantum Valley’.”
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) will become the first university to house an IBM Quantum System One, with the computer expected to be operational by January 2024.
- The IBM quantum computer will form the basis of a new IBM Quantum Computational Center, in partnership with RPI.
- The partnership aims to enhance educational experiences and research capabilities, and accelerate New York’s growth as a technology hub.
- The venture into quantum computing research represents an investment of over $150 million, supported by Curtis R. Priem, vice chair of RPI’s Board of Trustees and co-founder of NVIDIA Corp.
- The quantum computer will be part of RPI’s new Curtis Priem Quantum Constellation, a research centre that will hire additional faculty leaders to utilise the quantum computing system.
- The IBM Quantum System One will be powered by the 127-qubit IBM Quantum Eagle processor, capable of performing utility-scale calculations.
- RPI already houses one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, the Artificial Intelligence Multiprocessing Optimized System (AiMOS).
- The collaboration with IBM is expected to significantly impact the area’s growth as a corridor of innovation.
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