3 questions to: Mark Buningh (TNO) about the newly formed Quantum Application Lab

Quantum computing is coming. What can it do??

Computational technologies drive progress in industry, science, government, and society. Quantum computing is rapidly transforming from a specialist theory in physics to a source of new technologies, economic growth, and workforce development opportunities.

While still a nascent technology, its potential is actively being explored across many sectors. For example: pharmaceutical companies and biotech industry are exploring quantum computing's ability to simulate larger, more complex molecules which could reduce drug discovery time and increase effective patent life.

Financials are exploring optimized investment portfolio management and more effective analysis of large or unstructured data sets with equally powerful use cases in capital markets, corporate finance, and encryption-related activities.

The energy and power industry is expected to benefit from quantum computing's simulation capabilities and computing power to result in more efficient electrical power systems, better batteries, cleaner fertilization, and lower emissions.

And more generally, quantum computing can be used in a variety of applications for the rapid training of certain machine learning models and to create optimized algorithms.?

What is the Quantum Application Lab (QAL) – and what organizations may be interested in working with QAL?

QAL is a newly formed public-private R&D partnership, founded by?University of Amsterdam (UvA),?the national research institute for mathematics and computer science (CWI),?the Netherlands Organization for applied scientific research (TNO), the Dutch collaborative ICT Organization for Dutch higher education and research (SURF), Technical University TU Delft (on behalf Quantum Inspire) and the Netherlands eScience Center. IBM Quantum?will serve as a technology provider.?The QAL was launched in March of this year.

The launch of Quantum Application Lab (QAL) in Amsterdam on March 23rd 2022

QAL?offers a unique team of scientists, researchers, engineers, application developers, software and hardware specialists in a leading platform to explore and bring to market the benefits of quantum computing.?Right now, technology development of quantum hardware is accelerating strongly, spreading from the academic realm to the high-tech industry supply chains that will produce the first prototypes, for the benefit of pioneering end-users.

Companies and other organizations are starting to look at useful applications for quantum computing, but the availability of deep technical expertise and suitable hardware and software platforms can be a bottleneck.

QAL will offer access to these services, and will collaborate closely with future end-users of quantum computers to develop solutions that will benefit people and societies.

What is the key priority for the coming year?

We have many priorities, but to single one out: now that QAL is ‘open for business’, we’re looking for organizations that want to participate in joint application development.?

QAL will focus on optimization, simulation, and machine learning applications initially. We are specifically looking to collaborate with companies that want to push the frontiers of computing power and explore what new applications they can benefit from. Who have gone through an initial phase of information gathering and orientation and have also appointed a 'quantum lead'. And who are able and willing to take the next step. If you feel addressed, you are invited – let’s explore!

We are open for business!

We're specifically looking to collaborate with companies that want to push the frontiers of computing power and explore what new applications they can benefit from.

Companies and individuals that are interested to explore with the Quantum Application Lab can reach out to Mark directly via [email protected]