The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), marking a century since the development of matrix mechanics by Heisenberg, Born, and Jordan, and wave mechanics by Schrödinger. The UN believes quantum research can contribute to sustainability goals. Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market of the European Union, emphasized the potential of quantum technologies for progress towards a more sustainable world. The IYQ will support educational and research activities in quantum science and technology. The Quantum Flagship, a European initiative, will play a key role in steering the IYQ.
UN Designates 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). This global initiative aims to strengthen national capacities in the basic sciences and science education. The declaration comes a century after the development of matrix mechanics by Werner Heisenberg, Max Born, and Pascual Jordan, and the formulation of wave mechanics by Erwin Schrödinger.
The IYQ will support educational and research activities in quantum science and technology at the national level. The initiative will also celebrate the impacts of quantum science on technology, culture, and our understanding of the natural world. The UN’s recognition of the importance and potential of quantum technologies underscores the transformative potential of this field.
Quantum Science and Sustainability Development Goals
The UN has acknowledged the relevance of quantum research and development in achieving the Sustainability Development Goals. Quantum science and technology have the potential to advance health and well-being, reduce inequality, promote industry and infrastructure, stimulate economic growth, support climate action, and foster clean energy.
Quantum photonics, for instance, is advancing health and well-being by providing rapid, clean detection solutions in medical imaging and diagnosis. Quantum chemistry is aiding the development of new vaccines and drugs. In the realm of industry and infrastructure, quantum engineering is leading to more energy-efficient and affordable solar cells, as well as low-emission LED light sources. For climate action, quantum physics is enabling the development of next-generation sensors for environmental monitoring, while quantum processors are being developed to improve the accuracy of long-term climate models.
Europe’s Role in Quantum Science and Technology
Europe has played a crucial role in advancing quantum research. The Quantum Flagship, a large-scale initiative funded with €1 billion from the EU over a 10-year timescale, is involved in the steering of the IYQ. The initiative consists of a coherent set of research and innovation projects selected through a thorough peer-review process. The goal is to consolidate and expand European scientific leadership and excellence in this research area, kick-start a competitive European industry in quantum technologies, and make Europe a dynamic and attractive region for innovative research, business, and investments.
Quantum Science: A Century of Progress
Quantum mechanics, which was laid down by Planck, Einstein, Bohr, and other European scientists in the early 1900s, has contributed to many advancements in physics, chemistry, material science, biology, and information science. Our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of our universe has allowed us to build extremely precise sensors that reveal structures under the ground, map the bottom of the sea, and detect changes in the human body that are invisible to today’s medical scanners.
The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: Looking Ahead
The IYQ will showcase projects from Europe’s Quantum Flagship initiative working on quantum computing, simulation, communication, sensing, and metrology. The initiative invites all stakeholders to participate in a brief survey to start preparing the activities for IYQ. The IYQ follows past UNESCO recognition of scientific fields, such as the International Years of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (2019), Light and Light-based Technologies (2015), and Crystallography (2014).
External Link: Click Here For More
