Introduction
Welcome to QURECA’s latest newsletter, bringing you a wrap-up of the most relevant quantum news from the start of 2025! As we ring in the new year with the shimmer of frost and the promise of fresh beginnings, let’s navigate the ever-expanding universe of quantum technologies together. This month, we invite you to embrace the invigorating chill of innovation as we delve into how quantum advancements are revolutionising our daily lives and beyond. Join us on this exhilarating journey through groundbreaking updates and transformative insights, where each discovery builds on the momentum of the last. Stay curious, stay inspired, and let’s unfold the quantum mysteries of 2025 together.
Weekly News highlights
Here’s a recap of our weekly LinkedIn news updates from January in case you missed any!
- MIT achieve 99.998% single-qubit gate fidelity for superconducting flux qubits
(Tuesday, 14th January) Employing two new complementary protocols, MIT researchers have recently set a new world record of 99.998% for single-qubit gate fidelity in fluxonium qubits. Mitigating spurious errors and decoherence events is vital in achieving useful quantum computing and so the team set about addressing those due to counter-rotating dynamics. These effects become prominent when the gate applied to the qubit, often in the form of a microwave pulse, are very fast compared with the qubit’s own dynamics. The first protocol employs circularly polarised microwave pulses which ideally would remove the impact of counter-rotating effects. The second protocol involves commensurate pulses, which are pulses applied at very specific timing intervals which ensures the remaining counter-rotating error effects are consistent. Establishing this consistency means errors can automatically and reliably corrected using system calibrations. This newfound technique is not limited to superconducting hardware but universal to any qubits hardware which suffers from counter-rotating effects. Congratulations team!
- U.S. DOE announce US $625 million funding support for QIS Research Centres
(Wednesday, 15th January) The US Department of Energy have announced a significant funding pool to support its five National Quantum Information Science (QIS) Research Centres. Projects will focus on developing key quantum communication, quantum computing and simulation, quantum devices and sensors, materials and chemistry for QIS in line with the National Quantum Initiative Act. Applicants will be required to submit pre-proposals by 12th March before the deadline for final proposals on 4th June 2025.
- Xanadu announce world’s first scalable networked and modular quantum computer
(Wednesday, 22nd January) Xanadu have announced Aurora, the world’s first scalable networked and modular photonic quantum computer. Featuring 35 photonic chips and 13km of fiber optics, the 12-qubit system operates at room temperature and sets a landmark in scalability, modularity, and networkability of photonic quantum computing.
- Open-source quantum computer blueprint design set for public release
(Friday, 24th January) The world’s first open-source quantum computer is set to be made available by early 2026 thanks to Open Quantum Design. Comprised of experts from Xanadu, University of Waterloo, Unitary Foundation, and Haiqu, the project aims to help democratise quantum computing research by making the full stack design publicly available for all, from enthusiasts to researchers.
Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/kitchener/article/waterloo-non-profit-creating-open-source-quantum-computer/
- Quantum technology applications in the energy sector
(Tuesday, 28th January) Infinity QD published their latest sector-specific report on quantum technology applications within the energy. Featuring industry and academic input, including Kvantify, Deloitte, Stanford University and others, from across the sector, the report highlights key requirements for future development as well as contextualises its growth in an increasingly divided political climate.
Read more: https://www.infinityqd.nl/resources/quantum-guide-to-commercial-acceleration-the-energy-industry
- CSIRO employ quantum-enhanced machine learning for groundwater monitoring
(Wednesday, 29th January) CSIRO have published results from a recent investigation of using quantum machine learning (QML) to support groundwater monitoring using chemiresistive sensor arrays. They showed that a QML technique known as self-adaptive quantum kernel principal component analysis (SAQK PCA) outperformed a widely-used classical solution, particularly in low-dimensional scenarios, enhancing critical information retention.
- Quantinuum and Softbank partner to forge into a meaningful quantum future
(Wednesday, 29th January) SoftBank Group Inc. and Quantinuum have announced a significant partnership to address wide-ranging quantum computing implementation issues including building meaningful business and revenue models, and development of critical technologies for quantum-enhanced AI. They also outline plans to conduct market research toward realising a quantum data centre and establishing quantum use-case timelines and validation.
- Cat qubit experts close huge Series B funding round
Alice & Bob closed their recent Series B funding round at €100 million. A frontrunner in the drive toward fault-tolerant quantum computing with impressive results in suppression of common QC error sources, the cat qubit technology pioneers have attracted significant attention for their unique hardware capabilities. All Series A investors returned for the Series B round which was led by Future French Champions, AXA Venture Partners, and Bpifrance. The new capital enables continued development toward error-corrected qubits, ongoing construction of their state-of-the-art production facility and expansion of the team.
Read more: https://alice-bob.com/newsroom/alice-bob-100m-series-b-fundraising-press-release/
Now you’re all caught up with our weekly news updates, let’s look at some other interesting news from around the world of quantum technologies that we haven’t yet covered!
Other big news!
- Popular US TV personality cautions investors about quantum computing investment
(Thursday, 2nd January) Jim Cramer, host of popular US show, “Mad Money,” advised investors to exercise caution when speculating on quantum computing stocks. He emphasises that the industry, alongside nuclear power, might not yield significant returns soon due to their long-term development nature and current market enthusiasm, which may not align with realistic short-term financial outcomes.
- IonQ completes acquisition of Qubitekk
(Monday, 6th January) IonQ finalised its acquisition of Qubitekk, expanding its business into quantum networking technologies, an area that they have stated is critical to the future scaling of their quantum computer systems. The deal includes Qubitekk’s team, technology, and patents, bolstering IonQ’s industry leader position following other recent successes such as being awarded the largest US quantum contract of 2024 and demonstrating remote ion-ion entanglement capabilities.
- Useful quantum benchmarking: an overview
(Tuesday, 7th January) In a Nature Reviews Perspective article, a team of researchers at Sandia National Laboratory, USA, give a deep-dive into the science of quantum computing benchmarking. They discuss those which provide useful guidance for long-term developments and those which can hinder or misdirect efforts as well as provide an overview and description of various known and prospective benchmarks used.
Read more: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42254-024-00796-z
- UoB announce research partnership to develop graphene-based electronics for quantum computing
(Wednesday, 8th January) The University of Birmingham announced its collaboration with Paragraf Ltd to scale up the production of graphene-based electronics and explore their use in quantum computing. Funded by a £1.4 million award from Innovate UK and a £2 million UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, the partnership aims to overcome production challenges as well as test graphene devices at ultra-low temperatures.
Read more: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1069876
- Atom-ion quantum computer proposal
(Wednesday, 8th January) Researchers from Temple University and University of Washington proposed a method to merge neutral atom and trapped ion quantum computing technologies. It describes a technique where neutral atoms, held by optical tweezers, connect can entangle different ion chains by acting as connecting qubits. Their approach suggests quick, on-demand creation of links between qubit groups, and claims highly significant, two orders of magnitude, speed up compared to traditional methods.
Read more: https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.04223
- Nvidia CEO claims useful quantum computing decades away
(Wednesday, 8th January) Quantum computing stocks experienced a significant downturn after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang indicated that the technology would not be practically useful for another 15 to 30 years. His comments, made during an investor meeting, suggested that the current capabilities of quantum computing are still far from meeting practical application standards, which caused a massive decline in stock values for several quantum computing companies like IonQ (-39%), D-Wave (-43%), Quantum Computing (-36%), and Rigetti (-45%).
- D-Wave CEO states useful quantum computing is active today
(Thursday, 9th January) D-Wave’s CEO, Dr Alan Baratz, responded to Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang’s, comments, emphasising the practical applications of D-Wave’s annealing quantum computers today, contrary to the longer timelines suggested for other quantum technologies. He did comment that gate-based QC may yet be some time away, but D-Wave is already supporting over 100 customers explore quantum advantage in their own research and applications.
- Universal quantum computing chip startup raises $30M in funding
(Tuesday, 14th January) SEEQC, a quantum computing startup, has secured US$30 million in funding to advance its digital Single Flux Quantum chip platform. This technology integrates quantum and classical functions on a single processor which aims to remove many of the highly-taxing hardware requirements, including size, weight, and power, for scalable, enterprise-grade quantum computing.
- Nvidia GTC 2025 to include Quantum Day
(Tuesday, 14th January) Days after claiming useful quantum computing is decades away, NVIDIA announced plans to host its inaugural Quantum Day at the GTC 2025 event. Jensen Huang plans to share the stage with leaders from Alice & Bob, Atom Computing, D-Wave, Infleqtion, IonQ, Pasqal, PsiQuantum, Quantinuum, Quantum Circuits, QuEra Computing, Rigetti, and SEEQC to explore the advancements and future of quantum computing. The event will also feature hands-on training with quantum hardware and applications, and updates on the latest developments in the field.
Read more: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/gtc-2025-quantum-day/
- Diamond-based quantum technology startup raises US$20M
(Wednesday, 15th January) Quantum Brilliance raised US$20M in Series A funding to boost their mission of deploying diamond quantum devices across sectors. Investors include Main Sequence, In-Q-Tel, and Intervalley Ventures, among others. The funds will help create a quantum diamond foundry, develop prototypes, and advance proprietary IP. QB’s technology promises compact, rugged quantum sensors capable of operating at room temperatures, ideal for mass deployment and functioning in varied environments.
- Canadian quantum technology learning looks bright with new educational toolkits
(Friday, 17th January) The Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, in collaboration with experts from University of Toronto and Waterloo, has received a US$25,000 grant from the American Physical Society’s Innovation Fund. The team will develop the Quantum Explorations Student Toolbox (QuEST) project, which aims to develop two unique educational kits: one to teach elementary and middle-school, and another kit suited more to high school students and science fairs, to each about quantum mechanics principles and their applications. The kits will also include supporting material for educators to ensure they are comfortable and prepared to deliver the content. The project intends to make quantum science more accessible and engaging for all IQC’s nine partner institutions, including the popular Let’s Talk Science, to reach thousands of potential participants and promote quantum education, especially for communities with limited educational resources.
- Canada continues its quantum interest with new national investment
(Tuesday, 21st January) The Government of Canada has allocated over CA$74 million to fund 107 new quantum science projects. Announced in Varennes, Québec, these projects cover various aspects of quantum science aligned with Canada’s national quantum strategy, including algorithms, encryption, and computing, and involve collaborations across Canada’s quantum research hubs.
- Quantum Source pilots QC Design’s Plaquette to accelerate photonic fault-tolerance
(Thursday, 23rd January) Quantum Source has partnered with QC Design to integrate Plaquette, a sophisticated design software, into its R&D to enhance fault-tolerance in its photonic quantum computing systems. This collaboration is fuelled by Quantum Source’s recent $50M Series A funding, aimed at advancing their technology towards commercialisation. Similarly, QC Design secured a €4M EIC Accelerator grant to further develop Plaquette, enhancing their ability to simulate and optimize quantum architectures under realistic conditions. Together, they aim to develop scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computers.
Read more: https://www.qc.design/news/quantum-source-pilots-plaquette
- Nu Quantum introduces new error-correction technique for distributed quantum computing
(Monday, 27th January) Nu Quantum is advancing distributed quantum computing scalability by employing hyperbolic Floquet codes, designed to surpass traditional surface codes’ limitations. These new codes efficiently manage multiple logical qubits by utilising hyperbolic geometries, improving encoding rates and reducing connectivity demands, thus facilitating scalable quantum error correction. For those interested: hyperbolic geometries, much like horse-saddle, in surface codes enhance qubit connectivity through their unique spatial structure, allowing for more efficient organisation of connection pathways. This increased efficiency arises from the exponential expansion of space in hyperbolic geometries, which supports a denser packing of qubits without compromising the system’s scalability or error correction capabilities. This innovative approach, supported by their recent research, is setting the groundwork for developing modular quantum computing systems that could realistically meet near-term technological fidelity requirements.
Check out our other channels!
These are some of this month’s news updates that didn’t make it into in our weekly news on LinkedIn. Give QURECA’s LinkedIn page a follow for more frequent weekly updates from the world of quantum technologies! Don’t forget our other socials, including Instagram, X (Twitter) and YouTube, and feel free to contact us directly through our website, for all the latest in quantum technologies.
See you in the next monthly update!