The University of Texas at Austin is establishing the Texas Quantum Institute, co-directed by Elaine Li and Xiuling Li, to advance research and education in quantum science and engineering. The institute aims to leverage quantum science for new approaches to computing, energy-efficient electronics, secure communications, and medical diagnostics. The initiative will unite over 30 researchers and provide fellowships, seed grants, workshops, and a new lab for advanced quantum and semiconductor measurements. The institute will also collaborate with other academic institutes, industry, and national labs. Scott Faris, CEO of Infleqtion, a global quantum technologies company, praised the initiative.
The Texas Quantum Institute: A New Frontier in Quantum Science and Engineering
The University of Texas at Austin has announced the establishment of the Texas Quantum Institute, a significant expansion of its commitment to research and education in quantum science and engineering. The institute aims to harness the vast potential of quantum science and engineering to benefit society through innovative approaches to computing, energy-efficient electronics, secure communications, ultrasensitive sensors for medical diagnostics, semiconductor quality control, and observing climate processes from space.
Quantum research explores the intersection of peculiar phenomena, still mysterious to many physicists, and the potential for groundbreaking advances. These phenomena occur at incredibly small and rapid scales, facilitated by new materials and highly advanced equipment. The Texas Quantum Institute will serve as a hub for this research, bringing together over 30 researchers and providing resources such as postdoctoral fellowships, an interdisciplinary seed grant program, workshops, and a new lab for advanced quantum and semiconductor measurements.
Leadership and Collaboration at the Texas Quantum Institute
The institute will be co-directed by Elaine Li, the Jack S. Josey Welch Foundation Science Chair and professor in the Department of Physics, and Xiuling Li, a Temple Foundation Endowed Professor in the Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a fellow of the Dow Professorship in the Department of Chemistry. Both directors bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles, and they will guide the institute’s efforts to further develop quantum research areas and cultivate collaborations with other academic institutes, industry, and national labs.
The University of Texas at Austin has already earned an international reputation for groundbreaking quantum advances, including launching the subfield of “Twistronics,” developing tests for quantum supremacy in computing, and inventing a new imaging technique called microwave impedance microscopy. The Texas Quantum Institute will build on this foundation, enhancing the visibility and impact of quantum research both within the academic community and beyond.
Infrastructure and Partnerships: The Backbone of the Texas Quantum Institute
The institute will leverage world-class infrastructure, such as the Texas Advanced Computing Center, home of the fastest academic supercomputer in the U.S.; the Microelectronics Research Center, a leading semiconductor materials and devices research center; the Texas Materials Institute, a premier hub for materials research; and the Texas Institute for Electronics, which develops innovative semiconductor solutions through advanced packaging. These resources will enable the institute to hit the ground running in its expanded quantum research initiative.
Partnerships with industry are also a key component of the institute’s strategy. Infleqtion, a global quantum technologies company already partnering with UT on quantum manufacturing, has expressed excitement about the potential of the Texas Quantum Institute to position Texas as a significant player in the development of quantum technology and the quantum economy.
The Year of AI and the Future of Quantum Research
The announcement of the Texas Quantum Institute comes during what the University has declared the Year of AI. The institute’s faculty members are not only physicists, chemists, and chemical engineers but also leading computer scientists and electrical and computer engineers. These diverse experts are positioned to forge partnerships with industry and national labs, drive quantum innovations through interdisciplinary collaborations, and unlock the potential of future quantum AI systems for the betterment of society.
The establishment of the Texas Quantum Institute represents a significant step forward in the field of quantum research. By bringing together top researchers, providing advanced resources, and fostering collaborations, the institute is poised to make significant contributions to the understanding and application of quantum science and engineering.
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