Author: Mohamed Abdel-Kareem

    1. SkyWater Technology and Qolab Establish Midwest Commercial Foundry Agreement for Superconducting Devices

      SkyWater Technology and Qolab have partnered in a multi-year agreement, with Qolab becoming the lead customer for SkyWater's new SC250 superconducting platform. This collaboration aims to scale Qolab's Quantum System-in-Package (QSiP) architecture, transitioning superconducting quantum processing unit (QPU) components from research to commercial manufacturing to reduce complexity and cost.

    2. SkyWater Launches Dedicated Quantum Solutions Merchant Foundry Division

      SkyWater Technology has launched SkyWater Quantum Solutions, a new merchant foundry division focused on process development, chip integration, and manufacturing for quantum computing, networking, and sensing applications. The division offers two standardized process platforms, SC250 for superconducting circuits and SP90 for quantum photonic routing, and has already secured a joint development agreement with Qolab to fabricate its Quantum System-in-Package (QSiP) hardware.

    3. D-Wave Finalizes Definitive $100 Million CHIPS Act Agreement with U.S. Department of Commerce

      D-Wave Quantum Inc. has finalized a $100 million CHIPS Act agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce. This funding will accelerate hardware development for both superconducting quantum annealing and gate-model architectures, aiming for a 100,000-qubit system and a 10,000-physical-qubit QPU, respectively. In exchange for the funding, the U.S. Department of Commerce will receive a minority equity stake in D-Wave.

    4. Fujitsu Fabricates Diamond-Spin QPU Prototype Integrating Tin-Vacancy Centers and Photonic ICs

      Fujitsu has fabricated a prototype diamond-spin quantum processing unit (QPU) integrating tin-vacancy (SnV) color centers into photonic integrated circuits (PICs), operating at a warmer cryogenic temperature of -271.6°C. This architecture addresses scaling challenges through heterogeneous material bonding and nanometer-scale diamond thinning, utilizing SnV centers for their reduced sensitivity to electric field noise and higher photon emission brightness compared to traditional nitrogen-vacancy centers. Fujitsu plans to develop a multi-module prototype by 2027, aiming for a 1,000 logical qubit system by FY2035, and is also working on linking this with their superconducting hardware for a heterogeneous quantum computing architecture.

    1. NEC Discontinues Superconducting Quantum Computer Development to Focus on Annealing and Classical Emulation

      NEC Corporation has ceased its research and development into superconducting quantum computers, shifting focus to quantum-inspired annealing and classical emulation due to long commercialization timelines and high capital investment. This move, reported by Nikkei Asia, means NEC will now concentrate on software and optimization services, leaving Fujitsu as the main domestic corporate developer of superconducting hardware in Japan.

    1. Who’s News: Strategic Appointments at QuIC, Atom Computing, and Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech

      Cécile Perrault is the new Executive Director of QuIC, Kevin Messerle is the new CFO of Atom Computing, and Albert Solana is the new Chief of Staff at Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech, all bringing their expertise to advance quantum technologies.

    2. RIKEN Integrates QunaSys QURI SDK Enterprise into Japan’s JHPC-quantum Platform

      RIKEN Center for Computational Science has adopted QunaSys QURI SDK Enterprise for Japan’s JHPC-quantum project, integrating supercomputer Fugaku and the ROQUO GPU cluster with quantum processing units. This platform, funded by NEDO, will facilitate hybrid algorithm execution across diverse hardware, offering solutions for materials science, quantum chemistry, and CAE, and is part of Japan’s Society 5.0 Roadmap.

    3. Forschungszentrum Jülich Operates eleQtron’s JION Trapped-Ion QPU via JUNIQ Infrastructure

      Forschungszentrum Jülich and eleQtron have launched the JION quantum computer, a trapped-ion QPU utilizing eleQtron’s MAGIC technology for microwave control and room-temperature operation. Integrated into JUNIQ, it connects directly to Jülich’s HPC supercomputing cluster for hybrid quantum-classical workloads, supported by significant funding from North Rhine-Westphalia and EU programs for quantum technology development and regional economic transformation.

    4. Quantum Foundry Copenhagen and Novo Nordisk Foundation Announce 5,300 m² Fabrication Facility for Quantum Chips

      Quantum Foundry Copenhagen and the Novo Nordisk Foundation are establishing a 5,300 m² quantum chip fabrication facility in Copenhagen, Denmark, to be operational by 2027. This initiative, backed by a €390 million investment from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, aims to bridge academic research with industrial manufacturing by offering commercial wafer fabrication, characterization, assembly, and packaging services for quantum technology vendors globally. It aligns with European strategies to bolster regional manufacturing capabilities for critical semiconductor and quantum components.

    1. Quantinuum and Aramco Execute Non-Binding MoU for Energy Sector Quantum R&D

      Quantinuum and Aramco have signed a non-binding MoU to explore quantum computing applications in the energy sector. This collaboration involves Aramco gaining access to Quantinuum’s trapped-ion hardware and software stack to research fault-tolerant quantum computing for complex simulations in energy production and to integrate quantum solutions into their digital transformation. This partnership also expands Quantinuum’s presence in the Middle East.