Göran Wendin: The NordiQuEst project
Quantum computers can dramatically increase the impact of research, by enabling solutions to problems that will forever stay intractable using conventional computing. Quantum computing is expected to impact practically all areas of research that can utilise computational modelling: artificial intelligence, materials science and chemistry, pharmaceutical research, finance, and climate modelling, etc. Thus, some of the most pressing challenges of our society, from accurate modelling of complex weather systems, via optimisation of resource usage, to development of novel, sustainable materials can be tackled with unprecedented vigour. The potential of quantum computing is immense and can bring about a much-needed renewal of the Nordic R&D sector, based on a highly skilled workforce. To catalyse uptake of quantum computing and quantum software development, a mature quantum computing infrastructure is crucial. The educational aspect is equally important.
In order to increase quantum literacy in the Nordics, a platform providing low-barrier adoption of the technology, reaching students at various levels as well as professionals in fields that could either utilise or further develop quantum computing is needed. NordIQuEst will provide a quantum computing platform customised to the needs of the Nordic region, with access to several Nordic quantum computers and quantum computer simulators. Pooling of resources and collaboration among the Nordic countries is imperative for reaching the critical mass that elevates quantum computing to a genuine opportunity for renewal of the Nordic high-tech field. The project gathers 7 partners from 5 NeIC countries, each with the complementary expertise and resources required for establishing this new infrastructure, comprising some of the best quantum expertise globally. Chalmers and VTT will connect their current quantum computers, and CSC will connect a state-of-the-art quantum computer simulator and the LUMI leadership-class, pre-exascale supercomputer to the project. Together with DTU, SRL, SINTEF, and University of Tartu, user and computer interfaces, quantum program libraries, training and education events and material, as well as user support will be expertly delivered. NordIQuEst puts sustainability as one of its core goals and aims for long-term scalability. By the end of this project, a solid and functioning, truly multi-purpose Nordic quantum computing ecosystem will be established, ready to be further exploited.
Göran Wendin (Tekn.dr. Theoretical Physics in 1972) is a professor at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. Over the years his research has involved dynamics of many-electron systems, atom-laser interaction, electron transport in nanostructures, Andreev levels in Josephson junctions, and more recently quantum computing with superconducting circuits. Since 2000 he has coordinated five major EU projects on quantum computing with superconducting devices and two EU projects on molecular electronics. He is currently a work package leader in the OpenSuperQ project in the QT-flagship and a PI in the Swedish WACQT project, both with the mission to build a European superconducting quantum computer. Göran Wendin and CHALMERS are partners of the recently accepted NeIC-funded 3-year NordIQuest project.
Rob Pennington: NeIC Policy for Project Selection
NeIC Special Advisor Rob Pennington will present the NeIC perspective to project evaluation and give an overview of the NeIC Policy for Project Selection.
