PsiQuantum, a quantum computing company, has announced its collaboration with the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) Hartree Centre on a 12-month project to develop Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing (FTQC) applications. The project, supported by the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), aims to advance the understanding of FTQC applications across various industries.
PsiQuantum’s R&D facility at the STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory has received £9 million in funding from the UK government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The facility has access to one of Europe’s largest liquid-helium cryogenic plants, allowing the company to develop next-generation cryogenic quantum modules for large-scale quantum computers.
The collaboration with the Hartree Centre will focus on building a strong FTQC knowledge base, identifying valuable problem statements, and developing algorithms for high-priority applications. The project includes FTQC training, workshops, and two industrially-relevant use cases.
The development of fault-tolerant quantum computers is expected to have a transformative impact on various industries, including healthcare, sustainability, financial services, and defense. McKinsey forecasts that the advent of large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers could create $1 trillion of value globally.
The Hartree Centre, located at the Sci-Tech Daresbury science and innovation campus, is a government research facility focused on high-performance computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). The center provides UK businesses and academia with access to advanced computing technologies to boost economic growth.
The collaboration between PsiQuantum and the Hartree Centre will contribute to the UK’s ambition to lead in the field of quantum computing. The UK government has allocated £2.5 billion in funding over the next 10 years to support the adoption of quantum technologies in various sectors.
PsiQuantum aims to build and deploy the world’s first useful quantum computer. The company believes that large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum systems are necessary to achieve commercially valuable quantum computing. PsiQuantum’s founders have a combined sixty years of experience in academia and have assembled a team of experts in quantum physics, engineering, and manufacturing.
By collaborating with the Hartree Centre, PsiQuantum hopes to advance the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing in the UK, positioning the country at the forefront of quantum technology. The partnership will also help unlock the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize industries and solve complex problems across sectors.
Overall, the collaboration between PsiQuantum and the Hartree Centre is a significant step towards the practical application of quantum computing in the UK. The project’s insights and developments will be shared with the government, industry partners, and stakeholders, driving the adoption of quantum technologies and fostering innovation in the country.