The Quantum Application Lab (QAL) gets a grant of 1.2 million euros from the municipality of Amsterdam. It is about and strategic investment, with which the municipality wants to strengthen the local economic structure and labour market.
Quantum computing is an emerging technology. A quantum computer is a computer that utilises so-called quantum mechanical phenomena when performing calculations. These include superposition, entanglement and quantum interference. This makes it possible to perform calculations that are too complex for our current computers to solve.
Explore applications and reap benefits
The QAL is a public-private R&D partnership exploring applications of quantum technology and bringing its benefits to the market. The initiative involves various fields of expertise, including scientists, researchers, engineers, application developers and both software and hardware specialists.
Specifically, it includes Centrum Wiskunde en Informatica (CWI), Netherlands eScience Centre, SURF, TNO, University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Dutch quantum computing-in-the-cloud provider Quantum Inspire. Partnerships have also been established with quantum hardware parties. These include Amazon Web Services, IBM, Microsoft Azure and QuiX Quantum.
The grant follows a recent grant Quantum Delta NL recently received with support from the National Growth Fund. With the help of the investment, QAL aims to expand its operations. It also wants to intensify its efforts around developing applications for quantum computing.
Academic knowledge into tangible added value
Among other things, the grant will allow the QAL to hire new quantum valorisation staff. They play an important role in turning academic knowledge into tangible added value for end users. Koen Leijnse has long been active for the QAL as a volarisation officer. "With the support of the City of Amsterdam, QAL will not only contribute to the economic structure by creating high-quality jobs and fostering a skilled workforce skilled in the latest quantum technologies, but also by bringing closer the practical benefit of using quantum computers," Leijnse said.
The various members of the QAL each bring their own expertise and specialisms. The lab uses these skills to make the implementation of applications of quantum computing tangible and translate them into practical working methods. This should make quantum algorithms more accessible to a wider range of industries.
Great potential
Earlier this year, TNO highlighted the huge potential of quantum technology, amongst other things. “The Dutch high-tech sector has the potential to produce a handful of new ASMLs in the coming decades. This requires a collaborative approach based on a robust innovation agenda,” said Arnaud de Jong, Managing Director of TNO High Tech Industry, in a paper at the time.
In the paper, TNO looks at the rapid development of technologies such as AI, quantum computing and photonics. It argues that these developments combined with societal challenges around sustainability, health and safety offer opportunities for the Dutch high-tech industry. Cashing in on these opportunities requires a joint industry from companies, knowledge institutions and the government alike. According to TNO, the National Growth Fund has a role to play as a structural financing instrument for R&D.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Photo: Jorge Franganillo via Pixabay
