UCL partners with Google to grow quantum software industry in the UK

UCL is joining forces with Google to launch a £5.5m Prosperity Partnership, which aims to harness the revolutionary power of quantum computers for applications in modelling and simulation. The initiative, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), is a collaboration between the UCL Quantum Science and Technology Institute, Google Quantum AI Lab and the University of Bristol Quantum Information Institute. It also includes UK start-up companies GTN and PhaseCraft. The partnership will study and develop quantum software for modelling and simulation, and its work will help develop the foundation of a quantum software industry in the UK. Quantum simulation will help scientists to understand and predict the behaviour of materials and chemical reactions. The quantum mechanical effects in these systems makes them very hard to accurately model using current supercomputers. Scientists hope that the new partnership will lead to the discovery of new materials, chemicals and drugs - leading to the design of new products such as high density batteries and more efficient solar panels.