Riverlane is partnering with Rolls-Royce and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) to develop computational tools for simulating complex materials on quantum computers. The Quantum Accelerator for Materials Design (QuaMaD) project aims to reduce the number of qubits needed for quantum simulation of new materials. This could revolutionise the development of new materials in industries such as pharmaceuticals and electronics. The project is funded by Innovate UK and aligns with the UK National Quantum Strategy objectives. Key individuals involved include Earl Campbell from Riverlane, Leigh Lapworth from Rolls-Royce, and Dr Simon Plant from NQCC.
Quantum Computing Partnership: NQCC, Rolls-Royce, and Riverlane
Riverlane, a quantum computing company, is partnering with Rolls-Royce, a multinational engineering company, and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) to develop computational tools for simulating large, complex materials on a quantum computer. This collaboration aims to engage with other industry leaders to explore quantum computing use cases across various sectors and business models.
“The QuaMaD project addresses this challenge. It will allow materials design experts to benefit sooner from quantum computers and brings together industry experts in the NQCC and Rolls-Royce, who will help us gain deep insights into use cases valuable for the materials industry.”
Earl Campbell, VP Quantum Science at Riverlane
The Quantum Accelerator for Materials Design (QuaMaD) Project
The partnership will build on Riverlane’s existing algorithms research to develop the Quantum Accelerator for Materials Design (QuaMaD) project. The project aims to significantly reduce the number of qubits (quantum bits) required for the quantum simulation of new materials. This development is crucial as modern pharmaceutical, chemical, and materials companies rely on simulation to develop new materials and medicines. However, current classical algorithms often struggle to simulate large molecules and ‘solid state’ materials with high precision.
Role of Quantum Computing in Materials Simulation
Quantum computers can help overcome the limitations of classical algorithms, but development is needed across the quantum computing stack and supply chain. Earl Campbell, VP Quantum Science at Riverlane, explained that Riverlane’s Quantum Error Correction Stack, which sits between the qubit and application layers of the quantum computing stack, can reduce the errors at the qubit level. This reduction in errors decreases the number of qubits required to run complex algorithms, unlocking applications not possible on a classical machine, such as the simulation of new materials.
The QuaMaD Project’s Impact on Materials Design
The QuaMaD project addresses the challenge of reducing the number of qubits required for quantum simulations. It will allow materials design experts to benefit sooner from quantum computers and brings together industry experts in the NQCC and Rolls-Royce. These experts will provide valuable insights into use cases for the materials industry. Leigh Lapworth, Rolls-Royce Fellow in Computational Science, highlighted that quantum computing could revolutionise the understanding and design of new materials.
Quantum Computing in the Aerospace Industry
Lapworth also noted the potential of quantum computing in the aerospace industry, where jet engines operate in hostile environments with internal air temperatures reaching 2000°C, beyond the melting point of the materials used. The development of state-of-the-art materials for such conditions has taken many years, and quantum computing could significantly accelerate this process.
Dr Simon Plant, Deputy Director for Innovation at NQCC, stated that the methodologies developed in the QuaMaD project aim to harness the power of quantum computing for industrially relevant applications in the fault-tolerant era. The NQCC is working with Riverlane, industrial end users, and Rolls Royce to identify valuable use-cases for materials simulations.
Funding and Future Developments
The tools and knowledge developed in the QuaMaD project will be integrated into Riverlane’s Quantum Error Correction Stack, Deltaflow, for quantum computers. The project is funded by Innovate UK, which aims to solve problems of interest for leading technology businesses and promote the adoption of quantum computing in key sectors of the UK economy, in line with the UK National Quantum Strategy objectives.
“Riverlane’s Quantum Error Correction Stack sits between the qubit and application layers of the quantum computing stack. By reducing the errors at the qubit level, it reduces the number of qubits required to run complex algorithms. We also need better algorithms to help reduce the number of qubits required and unlock applications simply not possible on a classical machine – such as the simulation of new materials.”
Earl Campbell, VP Quantum Science at Riverlane
“With internal air temperatures reaching 2000 C, beyond the melting point of the materials we use, jet engines are a hostile environment for its components. Our current state-of-the-art materials have taken many years to develop, and we continually seek improvements in their properties to deliver more efficient engines.”
Leigh Lapworth, Rolls-Royce Fellow in Computational Science
“Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionise our ability to understand and design new materials and we are excited to extend our existing collaborations with Riverlane and NQCC into our first Quantum Chemistry project.” – Leigh Lapworth, Rolls-Royce Fellow in Computational Science
“The methodologies developed in this project seek to harness the power of quantum computing for industrially relevant applications in the fault-tolerant era. The NQCC is pleased to be working with Riverlane, industrial end users and Rolls Royce on identifying the relevant and valuable use-cases for materials simulations.” – Dr Simon Plant, Deputy Director for Innovation at NQCC
Quick Summary
Riverlane, Rolls-Royce, and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) are collaborating on a project to develop computational tools for simulating large, complex materials on quantum computers, aiming to revolutionise the understanding and design of new materials. The Quantum Accelerator for Materials Design (QuaMaD) project will reduce the number of quantum bits (qubits) needed for such simulations, potentially unlocking applications not possible on classical machines.
- Riverlane is partnering with Rolls-Royce and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) on a project to build computational tools for simulating large, complex materials on quantum computers.
- The Quantum Accelerator for Materials Design (QuaMaD) project aims to reduce the number of qubits (quantum bits) needed for quantum simulation of new materials.
- Current algorithms often struggle to simulate large molecules and ‘solid state’ materials with high precision, a problem quantum computers could help solve.
- Earl Campbell, VP Quantum Science at Riverlane, explained that Riverlane’s Quantum Error Correction Stack reduces errors at the qubit level, thus reducing the number of qubits required to run complex algorithms.
- Leigh Lapworth, Rolls-Royce Fellow in Computational Science, highlighted the potential of quantum computing to revolutionise the understanding and design of new materials.
- Dr Simon Plant, Deputy Director for Innovation at NQCC, emphasised the project’s aim to harness the power of quantum computing for industrially relevant applications.
- The QuaMaD project is funded by Innovate UK, aligning with the UK National Quantum Strategy objectives.