Quantum Research for Health, Energy and the Environment

How can advances in quantum research be translated into concrete, practical solutions for the benefit of society? This question is at the heart of the Helmholtz Quantum Use Challenge,an initiative of Helmholtz Quantum. It brings together developers, researchers and users from various disciplines to tackle problems in the health and energy fields, not to mention Earth and the environment.

Many researchers believe that quantum computing will pave the way for major advances, e.g. when it comes to solving complex optimization problems or simulating quantum systems. But it’s just as easily imaginable that completely new applications will arise for e.g. more accurately and realistically predicting earthquakes, simulating the spread of diseases, or determining local ocean conditions when planning the construction of offshore facilities.

Challenges like these call for innovative solutions – which are exactly what collaborations between quantum technology developers and experts from other fields can provide.

The Helmholtz Quantum Use Challenge is coordinated by the Helmholtz Quantum platform, which was founded in 2020 to promote networking for quantum research within the Helmholtz Association. Coordinated by Forschungszentrum Jülich, Helmholtz Quantum connects experts from various Helmholtz Centers and ensures that quantum research isn’t confined to the lab but reaches all areas of society – from politics to industry.

Helmholtz Quantum is also setting new standards in practical application, e.g. through the Jülich UNified Infrastructure for Quantum Computing (JUNIQ) and the Helmholtz Nano Facility (HNF): JUNIQ provides access to cutting-edge quantum computers and connects them with supercomputers. In turn, the HNF produces ultra-small quantum chips, which are used e.g. in experimental prototypes – like in the QSolid project, which both Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology are part of. Together, they are working to create a quantum computer with superconductive qubits. At the same time, the Helmholtz Institute Mainz is developing another quantum computer, one based on ion traps.

Through projects and initiatives like these, Helmholtz Quantum pursues a clear goal: we want to develop new quantum technologies further so as to make them a driving force in research – to meet the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

Picture: QUANTUM, Univ. Main