Alfred University, the New York State College of Ceramics, and quantum development firm Classiq have announced a joint quantum computing initiative designed to integrate functional hardware-portable software modeling into engineering curricula and energy systems research. The academic collaboration deploys Classiq’s high-level synthesis platform to bypass manual, gate-level quantum circuit construction, allowing students and researchers to engineer functional algorithms without deep low-level compilation skills. The curriculum expansion is intended to support workforce development and applied energy optimization models across the State University of New York (SUNY) network.
[ Alfred University - Classiq Framework ]
Software Engine ──► Classiq high-level functional synthesis platform using agentic compilation workflows.
Research Focus ──► Power system unit commitment optimization and ceramic/glass materials discovery.
Academic Integration──► Inamori School of Engineering curricula, expanding across CUNY and SUNY networks.
The instructional integration is led by Junpeng Zhan, Assistant Professor of Renewable Energy Engineering at the Inamori School of Engineering, who has embedded the platform into active courses. Zhan’s core research focuses on power systems optimization, specifically the “unit commitment problem”—a multi-variable calculation where electric grid operators determine the most cost-effective generation schedules to meet fluctuating regional energy demands. The joint initiative builds upon Zhan’s previous National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded computational grants and a 2024 collaborative research program with the Rochester Institute of Technology and ISO-New England to explore quantum optimization paths for wholesale electrical grids.
Concurrently, the initiative expands into solid-state physics and advanced materials modeling under S. K. Sundaram, Inamori Professor of Materials Science and Engineering. This branch of the program explores quantum algorithm implementations to model molecular configurations and evaluate structural tolerances in advanced ceramics, glass, and manufacturing components. Looking forward, Alfred University and Classiq are formulating educational extensions focused on AI-assisted quantum design alongside a multi-institution grant proposal. This upcoming submission aims to scale quantum computing access across community colleges, technical schools, and broader regional infrastructure within the SUNY and City University of New York (CUNY) systems.
The official partnership announcement, industrial software parameters, and academic curriculum milestones can be reviewed through the GlobeNewswire Newsroom here.
July 7, 2026
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