The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). They are thus honoring the 100th anniversary of the development of quantum mechanics. As a place of quantum research, we at Fraunhofer ITWM are participating in the anniversary year with educational programs and other events.
The IYQ aims to raise global awareness of the importance and influence of quantum science on our lives. Germany is right in the middle of this with Quantum2025: The German Physical Society (Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft / DPG) is bringing quantum science closer to people with various events and educational programs. The European Union, the federal government and various federal states are also investing heavily in research in order to be at the forefront of this pioneering field.
Since 2020, we at Fraunhofer ITWM have been intensively involved in quantum computing research with a special focus on the integration of quantum computing and high performance computing (HPC). As part of the Competence Center Quantum Computing Rhineland-Palatinate, our researchers are investigating which specific application scenarios are suitable for quantum computing and developing corresponding algorithms and software solutions.
We also offer training courses for industry and science in the field of quantum computing and thus promote the transfer of knowledge to the region. Interested institutions and companies are integrated into the competence center in order to work together on projects and tap into the potential of quantum computing. Since 2021, our continuing education courses have also been making an important contribution by teaching practical basics such as superposition, entanglement and central algorithms. The courses are aimed at scientists, engineers and specialists who want to enter this fascinating field. They combine theory and practice to cover current developments and applications.
The strength of quantum computers lies in the basic principles of quantum mechanics:
Algorithms such as Shor's algorithm for prime factorization and Grover's algorithm for fast database searches demonstrate the enormous potential of QC. Quantum computers could bring revolutionary progress in the following areas in particular:
Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM