HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut is positioned to become a leader in the potentially revolutionary field of quantum technology, according to a group of elected officials, academics and industry leaders.
At a gathering held at the UConn Hartford campus, state leaders celebrated Connecticut being selected as a Regional Innovation Engine for quantum technologies by the National Science Foundation.
The designation could mean up to $160 million in funding. The effort to win the award was led by NSF Quantum Technologies Engine in Connecticut (QuantumCT), a statewide collaborative between state agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations and commercial operations. Several of the organizations were on hand to discuss the potential of quantum technology, and the importance of the NSF’s recognition of Connecticut as a leader in the field.
“Quantum technologies are already having a profound effect across the wide range of scientific and academic disciplines.” said UConn President Radenka Marić, one of the lead members of QuantumCT. “Furthermore, quantum technologies are in the early stages of becoming one of the most economically transformative forces of our lifetime.”
The award is staggered over a maximum of 10 years. The state will initially receive $15 million, and if certain benchmarks are met by the second and fifth year, the funding from the NSF could reach as much as $160 million. That funding would be in addition to the $121 million the state has already pledged to QuantumCT.
“With this grant, we will perpetuate the centuries-long tradition of scientific investigation in Connecticut and of high ambition in the name of deeper knowledge, together,” said Yale President Maurie McInnis.
Connecticut was one of 12 sites selected by the NSF to receive funding for development of next-generation technologies. In addition to quantum computing, other regional projects will focus on critical materials and minerals, artificial intelligence, electric grid modernization and more.
Christine Broadbridge, director of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Center for Quantum and Nanotechnology, said the initiative sends an important message to students in the state.
“They don’t need to leave Connecticut to participate in world-changing innovation,” she said. “They can study here, conduct research here. They can build their careers here, and continue to contribute to the engine that we are building.”
Connecticut was selected from 250 applications for the NSF award, according to Gov. Ned Lamont. He added that Connecticut was ahead of the curve on quantum technology.
“We’ve always been one of the most innovative economies,” he said. “And to keep our industries ahead of the curve, this is what we’ve got to do.”
General Dynamics Electric Boat President Mark Rayha said quantum technologies present an opportunity and a risk, but that the state was well positioned to take advantage of its potential.
“Connecticut has a long-proven history of innovation, technical excellence, and service to our national defense,” he said. “And this investment builds on that legacy and positions our region to lead in the next era of these technologies that are critical to us.”
Quantum technologies will also have a major impact on medicines and medical research, said Bruce Car, chief innovation officer at Biohaven, a pharmaceutical company based in New Haven. He said the technology could help cut through the lengthy trial-and-error process for developing new drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety and more.
“With the combination of the expertise that exists in the healthcare industry in Connecticut, and quantum computing, we’ll lead the world in research in this field and hopefully bring drugs forward to treat Parkinson’s disease and other health problems,” he said.
Quantum technologies are complicated. Essentially, the universe operates on two different systems: classical physics, which describes the macro world, and quantum mechanics which governs the world of subatomic particles and atoms.
Modern day computers and technology are based on classical physics. Quantum technologies promise to use the unique properties of the quantum world to create computers and machines to tackle the most complicated problems in a fraction of the time of current machines. As such, quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize fields as diverse as defense, pharmaceutical research and economic models– three economic areas Connecticut relies on.