A New NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center in Indiana: The Center for Quantum Technologies
Sabre Kais: The university partners became aware of the IUCRC program and realized there was a need for a center focused on quantum technologies. Due to our proximity and history of working together, along with vast expertise in quantum science and engineering, we forged this partnership and started the process of establishing the center.
Gerardo Ortiz: The work started over three years ago, in late 2019, when we first started discussing the possibility. Since then, we've held multiple workshops, attended an IUCRC bootcamp, interviewed more than 80 prospective industry and government members, and submitted and won both a planning grant and a full Phase I, five-year award.
Grush: What advantages are there in partnering together rather than running a single-university IUCRC?
Ricardo Decca: First, it expands our research expertise. Across the four campuses we have more than 100 faculty working in some area of quantum science and engineering. By partnering we build a vast network of capabilities that will appeal to almost any industry or government member. Second, quantum technology development requires an interdisciplinary approach to make transformative breakthroughs. By partnering, we can leverage interdisciplinary expertise across campuses — this is evident by the multiple Year 1 funded projects that include multiple university investigators.
Quantum technology development requires an interdisciplinary approach… By partnering, we can leverage interdisciplinary expertise across campuses.
Kogge: I'd also like to mention that this gives our students opportunities to interact with faculty from other universities and even travel to do research in partner universities' labs. It provides them with learning opportunities unique to the CQT.
Grush: How will the CQT work with its industry and government membership to define general research directions and specific projects?
Decca: As David mentioned, the IUCRC model is unique in that it gives its members significant influence in research directions. The CQT holds semiannual meetings. At the first, which we just held, projects were pitched to the members and voted upon; and at the second meeting the members will provide feedback on current projects and help us establish future research priorities. Additionally, members will attend regular virtual project update meetings where they will be able to make recommendations and suggestions to the CQT researchers.
Grush: In what other ways are the members involved?
Kais: In addition to guiding the research direction, the members also provide mentorship to the student researchers. There are opportunities via supplemental NSF funding for students to intern with our members. This is invaluable development for our students as it gives them real-world experience with leading industry and government experts.
Kogge: We also hope this establishes new relationships and collaborations adjacent to the efforts of the CQT, both academia-to-members and members-to-members. We want to grow a quantum ecosystem that is bigger than just the funded projects of the center, leading to transformational breakthroughs.
Grush: You have talked some about the research direction, but quantum is very broad. What are the areas of focus for the center?
Ortiz: As Ricardo mentioned, we have over 100 faculty working in several areas of quantum science and engineering. The CQT will focus on a number of different themes within quantum technology development, including algorithms and architecture; security, finance, and business; materials design and chemistry; sensing and hardware; and communications and networks. We have purposely kept the CQT research themes broad, for a few reasons. First, as Peter mentioned, we want to build a vibrant quantum ecosystem that includes members from a variety of sectors. We want not only to meet the current needs of our membership but also to be flexible in future research directions as the needs and interests of our membership change. Second, the various research areas of quantum are very intertwined, so it is beneficial to have multiple themes working together to solve grand challenges.