Since their inception in 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy's National Quantum Information Science Research Centers (NQISRCs) have made significant strides in quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials. These centers aim to advance basic science for energy, security, communication, and logistics. The centers have contributed to strengthening the national quantum information science ecosystem by achieving scientific breakthroughs and training future quantum professionals.
Each center is led by a DOE national laboratory and includes a collaborative team from various scientific and engineering disciplines. By uniting national laboratories, universities, and tech companies, these centers have created a robust community that enables researchers to tackle major challenges in quantum information science.
The five centers include:
- Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA), led by Brookhaven National Laboratory
- Q-NEXT, led by Argonne National Laboratory
- Quantum Science Center (QSC), led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Quantum Systems Accelerator (QSA), led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
- Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS), led by Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Over four years of operation, the NQISRCs have achieved several milestones:
- Advanced fundamental science related to quantum devices.
- Enhanced performance levels of quantum devices through innovative materials science.
- Built new quantum processors and sensors at DOE labs.
- Designed algorithms for processing data on novel quantum devices.
- Developed facilities for characterizing and using quantum devices.
Additionally, more than 1,000 students and early-career researchers were trained through various programs. The U.S. Quantum Information Science Summer School was launched to create an interconnected ecosystem across academia, labs, and industry.
A virtual career fair connected over 1,600 job seekers with potential employers from national labs and industry. A centralized digital platform was also unveiled to highlight the centers' achievements.
In fall 2024, experts from the five centers convened to review progress and discuss future plans for QIS. This meeting fostered collaboration among the centers.
Commenting on these achievements, Harriet Kung from the Department of Energy stated: "As we mark four years of extraordinary progress... Their groundbreaking work in quantum computing... is shaping the future of technology... in ways that will benefit society."
The C2QA focuses on overcoming limitations of current quantum systems through co-designing materials and software. Q-NEXT aims to control and distribute quantum information while establishing foundries for materials development. The QSC addresses challenges in scalability of technologies through research on topological states. The QSA co-designs solutions needed for certified quantum advantage with contributions from numerous institutions worldwide. Lastly, SQMS collaborates with over 30 partners to advance qubit technologies at Fermilab.