Riverlane, Rolls-Royce, and the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) have partnered to accelerate materials discovery using quantum computing. The collaboration aims to build computational tools to simulate large, complex materials on a quantum computer, a task that is currently challenging for classical algorithms.

The Quantum Accelerator for Materials Design (QuaMaD) project, building on Riverlane’s existing algorithms research, will significantly reduce the number of qubits (quantum bits) required for the quantum simulation of new materials. This is crucial as modern pharmaceutical, chemical, and materials companies rely on simulation to develop new materials and medicines.

Riverlane’s Quantum Error Correction Stack, which sits between the qubit and application layers of the quantum computing stack, reduces the errors at the qubit level, thereby reducing the number of qubits required to run complex algorithms. The QuaMaD project addresses this challenge, allowing materials design experts to benefit sooner from quantum computers.

Leigh Lapworth, Rolls-Royce Fellow in Computational Science, highlighted the potential of quantum computing to revolutionize the understanding and design of new materials. This is particularly relevant for Rolls-Royce, as jet engines operate at temperatures beyond the melting point of the materials used, creating a hostile environment for its components.

Dr. Simon Plant, Deputy Director for Innovation at NQCC, emphasized the project’s aim to harness the power of quantum computing for industrially relevant applications in the fault-tolerant era. The methodologies developed in this project will be integrated into Riverlane’s Quantum Error Correction Stack, Deltaflow, for quantum computers.

The QuaMaD project is funded by Innovate UK, aligning with the UK National Quantum Strategy objectives to solve problems of interest for leading technology businesses and promote the adoption of quantum computing in key sectors of the UK economy. A press release announcing provided by Riverlane announcing this effort can be found here.

December 19, 2023