Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF
Fraunhofer Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden Württemberg
Fraunhofer Competence Center Quantum Computing Baden Württemberg

€19 million state funds go to projects in the Fraunhofer Competence Center “Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg“

01/07/2021 – Start of six projects to research quantum computing technology, application scenarios and algorithms / Three projects with participation of Fraunhofer IAF

With more than 19 million euros, the State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism is funding six joint research projects in the Fraunhofer Competence Center “Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg” for a period of two years. The projects for researching technology, application scenarios and algorithms started in January. They aim to further develop insights from research in the field of quantum technologies with regard to practical applications and to harness their potential for industry. The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF participates in three projects, in two of them as coordinator. Fraunhofer IAF is also responsible for the administrative coordination of the Competence Center Baden-Württemberg together with Fraunhofer IAO.

Research is conducted on and with the quantum computer “IBM Quantum System One”, which was installed in Ehningen, Baden-Württemberg, exclusively for the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and its partners. Six Fraunhofer Institutes are collaborating on the six projects, along with 16 other university, college and non-university institutes from the state as well as about 40 associated cooperate partners from Baden-Württemberg and Germany.

“In the competence network and the joint projects, we conduct application-oriented research and development in close cooperation with partners from politics, research and industry in the important future field of quantum computing, which offers great development opportunities in many markets such as information technology, security technology, chemistry, finance and logistics. Our goal is to bring this technology to market maturity”, explains Prof. Dr. Dr. Oliver Ambacher, Director of Fraunhofer IAF in Freiburg and Spokesperson of the Fraunhofer Competence Network Quantum Computing. 

Minister of Economics Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut states with regard to the joint projects: “Quantum technologies offer enormous opportunities for our economy. The projects are an important building block for further strengthening the existing ecosystem for this future technology consisting of universities, research institutes, start-ups and companies in Baden-Württemberg. In doing so, we are also increasing the state's international visibility as a leading region for quantum technology innovations.”

The projects in the first funding round 2021 to 2022 will focus on three key aspects:

  • Quantum computing for the design of new materials and quantum chemical reactions
  • Quantum computers and algorithms for the optimization of complex state systems
  • Development of high-performance quantum memories and scalable quantum processors

Potential fields of applications include battery and fuel cell modelling, stability analysis of critical infrastructure networks, as well as applications and algorithms for manufacturing, development, logistics, energy and finance. An overview of the six projects with brief summary and the associated partners can be found here.

The Fraunhofer Competence Center “Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg” is part of the nationwide competence network Quantum Computing that was founded by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in cooperation with IBM Germany. The goal is to advance the key technology of quantum computing in Germany and to develop new technological solutions as well as quantum-based computing strategies for applied, economically relevant questions. The network was founded as a central hub for German companies and research organizations that want to research on the IBM quantum computer at Ehningen, Baden-Württemberg that operates, thanks to its location, under German law.

Fraunhofer IAF (Freiburg) and Fraunhofer IAO (Stuttgart) coordinate the Competence Center “Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg”. Both institutes have a high-performance computer pool for training and schooling purposes, each consisting of ten workstations and one conventional high-performance computer connected to the IBM quantum computers.

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Fraunhofer Competence Center “Quantum Computing Baden-Württemberg”

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Quantum Computing at Fraunhofer IAF

All information about research in quantum computing at Fraunhofer IAF can be found here:

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