The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has become the first academic institution to connect to the EPB Quantum Network, powered by Qubitekk. This network, launched by EPB and Qubitekk in 2022, is the first commercially available quantum network in the US. UTC’s connection is facilitated through a node in a quantum technology lab on campus. UTC Chancellor Steven R. Angle, EPB CEO David Wade, and Qubitekk Co-Founder Dr. Duncan Earl all highlighted the importance of this development for education, research, and the future of quantum technology. Quantum optics expert Dr. Tian Li also joined UTC in 2022.
Quantum Network Connection at the University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has become the first academic institution to be connected to a quantum network. This network, powered by Qubitekk, was launched in late 2022 by EPB and Qubitekk. It is the first commercially available quantum network in the nation, designed for running equipment and applications in a fiber optic environment. UTC is connected to the network via a node within a quantum technology laboratory on campus.
The connection to the quantum network is seen as a significant milestone in the development of UTC’s education and research programs. The quantum network is expected to play a crucial role in preparing the community for the quantum age by facilitating the transition of research from academia into practical application.
The quantum technology lab at UTC is located in the University’s Multidisciplinary Research Building. It is co-located with activities of the UTC Research Institute, Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab and doctoral program in computational science.
Dr. Tian Li, a quantum optics expert, joined UTC in 2022. Prior to UTC, Li was an associate research scientist in the Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering and the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University. Li’s expertise in experimental quantum optics is expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of experiential learning in quantum technology at UTC, including quantum sensing applications.
Quantum Education and Research at UTC
The connection to the quantum network is seen as a resource to support UTC’s education and research mission. Dr. Ahad Nasab, interim dean of the UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science, described the connection as an important asset for the continued development of teaching and applied research and development efforts in the engineering and computer science programs.
In 2022, UTC started an institutional initiative in quantum information science and technology. The goal of this initiative is to establish a program known for excellence in education, innovation and economic development enabled by quantum technology.
“Having a node on EPB Quantum Network makes UTC the first university in the country with access to a commercially managed quantum network, exclusively available in Chattanooga. Moreover, UTC’s quantum node allows them to continue growing their quantum program and establishing R&D collaborations with quantum players from around the country.”
Qubitekk Co-Founder, President and CTO Dr. Duncan Earl
Cross-Disciplinary Quantum Initiative at UTC
The quantum initiative at UTC is designed to develop cross-disciplinary teams that perform applied research and development. It aims to deliver an effective education program of great value to students and individuals already in the workforce. The initiative is particularly interested in the use cases of the technology in advanced energy systems and in smart city applications.
The initiative engages departments and programs in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and math) and non-STEM disciplines—communications, sociology, economics, entrepreneurship and more. It is expected to advance collaborations with partners in Chattanooga, in academia and industry.
Quantum Opportunities in Chattanooga
The quantum network connection at UTC is seen as a potential catalyst for economic development in Chattanooga. The city could be put at the forefront when quantum companies consider where to locate their operations. The quantum network connection at UTC is also expected to facilitate the growth of the university’s quantum program and the establishment of R&D collaborations with quantum players from around the country.
“We appreciate the collaborative relationship with EPB and Qubitekk leading to this extraordinary milestone in the development of our education and research programs,” said UTC Chancellor Steven R. Angle.
“Having UTC connected to EPB Quantum Network is integral to our strategy to prepare our community with the education they need to be successful in the quantum age,” Wade said. “Amazing work is being done in universities across the country and here at UTC. Having a path to move research from academia and into practical application is possible with a quantum-prepared workforce like the one we’re developing in Chattanooga. This could put our city at the forefront when quantum companies consider where to locate their operations.” – EPB CEO and President David Wade
“We are excited about making use of the EPB network to advance experiential learning in quantum technology, including quantum sensing applications,” said Li, who specializes in experimental quantum optics and is a UTC assistant professor of physics.
Dr. Tian Li
“The effort develops cross-disciplinary teams that perform applied research and development and deliver an effective education program of great value to students and individuals already in the workforce,” said UTC Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research Reinhold Mann. “Of particular interest are use cases of the technology in advanced energy systems and smart city applications.”
Summary
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has become the first academic institution connected to a commercially available quantum network, enabling it to advance its quantum technology education and research programmes. The connection to the quantum network will support the university’s initiative in quantum information science and technology, focusing on applied research and development in advanced energy systems and smart city applications.
“This infrastructure asset at UTC will be important for continued development of our teaching and applied research and development efforts in the engineering and computer science programs,” Nasab said. Science
Dr. Ahad Nasab, interim dean of the UTC College of Engineering and Computer
- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has become the first academic institution to connect to the EPB Quantum Network, powered by Qubitekk.
- The network, launched by EPB and Qubitekk in late 2022, is the first commercially available quantum network in the US.
- UTC is connected to the network via a node in a quantum technology laboratory on campus.
- UTC Chancellor Steven R. Angle, EPB CEO and President David Wade, and Qubitekk Co-Founder, President and CTO Dr. Duncan Earl have all expressed the importance of this development for education, research, and the future of quantum technology.
- The quantum technology lab is located in the University’s Multidisciplinary Research Building, alongside the UTC Research Institute, Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab, and doctoral program in computational science.
- Quantum optics expert Dr. Tian Li joined UTC in 2022 and will utilise the EPB network to advance experiential learning in quantum technology.
- In 2022, UTC began an initiative in quantum information science and technology, aiming to establish a program known for excellence in education, innovation, and economic development enabled by quantum technology.
- The initiative will engage departments and programs in both STEM and non-STEM disciplines, and will advance collaborations with partners in Chattanooga, academia, and industry.