Kingston, Jamaica – Friday, January 19, 2024: “Quantum computing marks a groundbreaking frontier in science,” says Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Dean Michael Taylor as he highlights the Faculty’s new quantum computing research partnership with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University (NC A&T), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL).
Quantum computing is a rapidly-emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems too complex for classical computers. Armed with a US$5 Million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) of the USA, the consortium of universities’ ultimate goal is developing a functioning quantum computer on the campus of one of the partner institutions.
Dr. Peter Nelson, Department of Chemistry, is the lead scientist from the FST. He notes that “we are heading for a future where quantum computing will be pivotal in addressing complex challenges. The potential of quantum computing to revolutionize problem-solving across scientific disciplines is enormous, especially for unlocking unprecedented capabilities for swift data transformation and transmission. Through this collaborative effort the FST is strategically positioning our country and region to be at the forefront of this revolution.”
In elaborating further on the project’s multifaceted approach, Dr. Nelson states “Several teams will delve into the theoretical aspects of photon-electron entanglement, development of Hamiltonians for understanding the energetics of defect states in nano-materials (thin films and quantum dots), among other fundamental scientific research activities. It will require extensive collaborations between scientists across a range of scientific fields including chemistry, physics, computer science and engineering from MIT, Duke University and BNL. As part of our specific contribution, the FST team plans to develop and explore the properties of novel materials, a critical step in generating quantum bits (Qubits) for quantum information manipulation and transmission.”
Dean Taylor concludes that “A pivotal component of the groundbreaking project will be comprehensive training programmes in quantum information systems for the Faculty’s undergraduate, and graduate students. Through exchange programmes and workshops hosted at The UWI Mona and the partner institutions, this project will nurture a generation of Caribbean experts in quantum computing. This is part of the Faculty’s commitment to ensure that our country and region are always at the forefront of next-generation science”
