Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT)

Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) is sponsored by National Science Foundation. Supports partnerships between universities and industry to advance quantum technologies, including computing, sensing, and communications.

Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) The U.S. National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) program is currently active and is managed by the Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate; however, it is not accepting proposals at this time. NSF expects to release an updated solicitation later in 2026, subject to availability of funds.

Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) The Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) — an alliance between Purdue University, Indiana University (both Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses), and the University of Notre Dame — partners with industry and government stakeholders to identify compelling needs and challenges and then develop novel quantum technologies to address them.

Quantum technologies can harness the properties of single atoms or particles of light. They are relevant to sensing, imaging, metrology, communications, and cryptography, and they have the potential to transform intelligence, financial security, computing, medicine, navigation, and other areas.

We have entered the second quantum revolution, but it is still in its infancy, and the nascent quantum industry requires significant fundamental research to mature novel technologies. The CQT focuses on academic creativity and innovation to address key industry problems and concerns for quantum technologies.

In partnership with our industry members, the CQT researchers use their expertise in quantum science and engineering to develop and transfer foundational knowledge into industry-relevant quantum devices, systems, and algorithms.

Center Director and Purdue University Site Director Indiana University Site Director Indiana University Indianapolis Campus Director University of Notre Dame Site Director CQT Industry Liaison Officer and Executive Director Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) is the field of research that exploits the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics to achieve functionalities and performances in complexity and efficiency beyond the capabilities of classical information processing.

The ability to understand, manipulate and control the key traits of quantum law (state superpositions, interference, entanglement, measurement) to our advantage is at the heart of QIST.

CQT research themes with potential project areas are listed below: Algorithms and Architecture : Perform detailed benchmarking on industry-selected kernels at a level that allows insight into the "constants" and how they change as a function of noise, topology, compiler, etc. Strive to understand what is needed to grow the kernels into complete app data sizes that are relevant.

Develop high-level programming abstractions in terms of monoidal categories that bridge classical and quantum hybrid structures, an approach that interleaves near-term quantum devices with classical machines to solve complex problems. Develop quantum error mitigation and error correction codes.

Explore new experimental protocols for directional routing of quantum information in superconducting circuit networks, for scalable quantum communication and simulation Quantum Sensing and Hardware : Explore the potential for newly discovered native quantum emitters in silicon nitride for industrial-scale quantum photonic applications in communication, computing, and simulation.

Develop integrable, scalable, and programmable quantum simulators, logic gates, and devices by controlling interactions between Rydberg excitons in a novel solid-state material. Develop ultrasensitive detectors that couple to mass distributions to be used for exotic forces measurements (dark matter and dark energy) but also as gravimeters improving existing sensitivities.

Materials Design and Chemistry: Implement programmable quantum hardware, based on trapped-ion qubits, to study and characterize materials and chemical systems that are too difficult to understand classically. Develop quantum simulation approaches for spin-controlled processes in chemistry and materials science. Explore electrically controlled emission of single photons and entangled photon pairs.

Develop quantum machine learning algorithms and implementation on quantum devices for material design and classifications. Communications and Networking : Demonstrate fiber photonics hybridizing a plethora of quantum material platforms into a single information medium — the "Quantum Internet of Things" (QIoT). Explore multi-connected quantum networks exploiting frequency entanglement in two or higher dimensions.

Quantum for Finance and Business : Solve massive optimization problems beyond the NISQ era, including modeling problems of resource allocation and causal discovery in the presence of uncertain data as combinatorial optimization problems and designing quantum algorithms for their solution. Provide for migration to post-quantum cryptographic techniques, by decoupling the proof mechanism from the claims made in the credential.

QIST in each of these areas has the potential to provide a “quantum leap” in our ability to do things. Our project suggestions to industrial partners are in areas where there is a high potential to provide such a lift in a way that has a potential path to realization in near-term practical systems.

IUCRC Phase I University of Notre Dame: Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) The Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) is a partnership between Purdue University, Indiana University (Bloomington and Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis Campuses), and the University of Notre Dame.

The mission of the CQT is to collaborate with industry and government stakeholders to identify compelling needs and challenges in quantum technologies, and then develop novel solutions to address these opportunities. Quantum technologies are governed by the physics of sub-atomic particles and have relevance to computing, sensing, imaging, metrology, communications, and cryptography.

Because of their wide-ranging applicability, quantum technologies have the potential to be transformative, with uses in intelligence, financial security, computing, medicine, and navigation. Society has entered the second quantum revolution, but it is still in its infancy, and the nascent quantum industry requires significant fundamental research to mature novel technologies.

In partnership with industrial members, the CQT researchers will use their expertise in quantum science and engineering to develop and transfer foundational knowledge into industry-friendly quantum devices, systems, and algorithms with enhanced functionality and performance. Additionally, the CQT will help train the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers to support the development of a critically needed quantum workforce.

Students will not only conduct Center research, but also help writing project reports, present at biannual meetings, and interact with industry and government members. Finally, the CQT will leverage established programs at each of the four universities to engage and support students traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

As one of the Center sites, the University of Notre Dame will leverage its existing Centers and industrial relationships to drive quantum research in the areas of advanced materials and devices, quantum simulations of physical phenomena such as spin chemistry, quantum algorithms for data sciences and machine learning, and high-performance computing systems architectures.

For example, the ASCENT Center is a consortium of 13 universities led by Notre Dame, with a goal to provide breakthrough advances in integrated nanoelectronics, with devices based on quantum effects.

The QCLab (Quantum Computing Laboratory) has the mission to serve as an internationally-recognized, multidisciplinary quantum computing hub, based upon accelerating discovery through effective and novel applications of quantum computing algorithms, software tools, and devices.

Also, the CNDS (Center for Network and Data Science) was founded to generate fundamental and transformative advances in AI, Network, and Data Science, and can serve as both motivating cases for quantum applications and sources of data for driving quantum codes.

In addition, multi-year research by multiple faculty have gained internationally recognized expertise in the relationship between very high-performance computing architectures, emerging technologies, emerging applications areas (such as machine learning), and tools to support efficient execution of highly parallel algorithms. Notre Dame also supports a broad effort in Workforce Development.

The Center for STEM Education is part of a long-running Notre Dame effort to advance the teaching and learning of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Center for Civic Innovation has as a vision to create a virtuous cycle wherein faculty and students analyze challenging problems and develop co-creation of knowledge among a broad network of partners.

Finally, iNDustry Labs is the Notre Dame component of the LIFT (Labs for Industry Futures and Transformation) network that was launched with a $42M grant from the Lilly Endowment, with a charter to enhance skill attainment, research, commercialization, and innovation across the South Bend - Elkhart Region.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

IUCRC Phase I Purdue University: Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) The Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) is a partnership between Purdue University, Indiana University (Bloomington and Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis Campuses), and the University of Notre Dame.

The mission of the CQT is to collaborate with industry and government stakeholders to identify compelling needs and challenges in quantum technologies, and then develop novel solutions to address these opportunities. Quantum technologies are governed by the physics of sub-atomic particles and have relevance to computing, sensing, imaging, metrology, communications, and cryptography.

Because of their wide-ranging applicability, quantum technologies have the potential to be transformative, with uses in intelligence, financial security, computing, medicine, and navigation. Society has entered the second quantum revolution, but it is still in its infancy, and the nascent quantum industry requires significant fundamental research to mature novel technologies.

In partnership with industrial members, the CQT researchers will use their expertise in quantum science and engineering to develop and transfer foundational knowledge into industry-friendly quantum devices, systems, and algorithms with enhanced functionality and performance. Additionally, the CQT will help train the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers to support the development of a critically needed quantum workforce.

Students will not only conduct Center research, but also help writing project reports, present at biannual meetings, and interact with industry and government members. Finally, the CQT will leverage established programs at each of the participating universities to engage and support students traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

The overarching vision of the CQT is to bring together multidisciplinary experts in academia, industry, and government in a self-sustaining, collaborative venture facilitating the transition of fundamental research discoveries in quantum science and engineering to novel, commercial-ready technologies.

Specifically, it will focus on three significant industrial and government interests: quantum computing (including simulation and algorithm development), quantum sensing, and quantum communications. Purdue will tackle these areas using its expertise in quantum algorithm development and machine learning, quantum devices and materials, quantum nanophotonics, condensed-matter physics, and quantum chemistry.

The technologies developed in the CQT could help save energy, speed up computation, enhance national security and defense, and innovate health care. Indeed, potential applications range from improving traffic flow to securing banking to speeding and optimizing material and drug designs to improve military capabilities. A variety of world-class facilities are available on the Purdue campus to support the CQT.

These include the Birck Nanotechnology Center, which houses a 25,000 sq. ft. clean room and has a multitude of experimental capabilities including nanofabrication, materials and surface characterization and microscopy, quantum design physical property measurement system, and optical characterization laboratories.

The Physics Department also houses a crystal growth facility, various portable radioactive sources to test for radiation fidelity, machine and electronic shops, and a helium re-capture and re-liquification system, which significantly reduces costs of running cryogenic equipment.

Purdue will also leverage several existing mechanisms for incorporating students traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines into the CQT’s research, including the Minority Engineering Program, the Science Diversity Office, and the Summer Research Opportunities Program, a diversity recruitment opportunity aimed at preparing high-achieving undergraduates for graduate study.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

IUCRC Phase I Indiana University: Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) The Center for Quantum Technologies (CQT) is a partnership between Purdue University, Indiana University (Bloomington and Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis Campuses), and the University of Notre Dame.

The mission of the CQT is to collaborate with industry and government stakeholders to identify compelling needs and challenges in quantum technologies, and then develop novel solutions to address these opportunities. Quantum technologies are governed by the physics of sub-atomic particles and have relevance to computing, sensing, imaging, metrology, communications, and cryptography.

Because of their wide-ranging applicability, quantum technologies have the potential to be transformative, with uses in intelligence, financial security, computing, medicine, and navigation. Society has entered the second quantum revolution, but it is still in its infancy, and the nascent quantum industry requires significant fundamental research to mature novel technologies.

In partnership with industrial members, the CQT researchers will use their expertise in quantum science and engineering to develop and transfer foundational knowledge into industry-friendly quantum devices, systems, and algorithms with enhanced functionality and performance. Additionally, the CQT will help train the next generation of quantum scientists and engineers to support the development of a critically needed quantum workforce.

Students will not only conduct Center research, but also help writing project reports, present at biannual meetings, and interact with industry and government members. Finally, the CQT will leverage established programs at each of the four universities to engage and support students traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines.

The overarching vision of the CQT is to bring together multidisciplinary experts in academia, industry, and government in a self-sustaining, collaborative venture facilitating the transition of fundamental research discoveries in quantum science and engineering into novel, commercial-ready technologies.

Specifically, CQT will focus on three significant industrial and government interests: quantum computing (including simulation and algorithm development), quantum sensing, and quantum communications.

This includes: Algorithmic development for general purpose quantum computers, Quantum programming abstractions and optimizations, Quantum error mitigations and corrections, Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) and hybrid quantum-classical platforms for materials and chemical design, Quantum-enhanced sensors for gravimeters, Microchips for scalable and electrically controlled single photons, and Fiber photonics for quantum interconnects and repeaters.

Due to the wide applicability of quantum technologies, the relevant industry base is broad. The technologies developed in the CQT may save energy, speed up computation, enhance national security and defense, and innovate health care.

Indiana University (IU) houses several unique facilities, including the IU Center for the Exploration of Energy and Matter, a national resource for the design and construction of large-scale equipment for use in nuclear, particle, accelerator, and materials experiments.

IU also has facilities for cold atom and ion-trap state-of-the-art Laboratories; the Multidisciplinary Engineering and Science Hall for machine and instrument making, electronic, vacuum, detector, and cryogenic technologies as well as fibers and additive manufacturing-enabled systems, with draw and additive manufacturing facilities, fiber preform fabrication and optical/electronic characterization laboratories.

The Nanoscale Characterization Facility and the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute, which host many instruments for material processing and characterization are also available to researchers in CQT. IU investments in QIS, featuring one of the country's first quantum engineering programs and an intensive one-year, multi-disciplinary Masters degree.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. IUCRC affiliated member organizations are displayed as submitted by the Center. Non-federal organizations are not selected, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the U.S. National Science Foundation.

Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the Center author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation. You are leaving the IUCRC - National Science Foundation website to go to a non-government website: This external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site.

NSF cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site. Linking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by NSF or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.