A Quantum Advantage in Fighting Climate Change
Good morning,
As readers will know, Archer is a materials technology company with a focus on developing innovative deep tech that has the potential for global impact. One of those technologies, is our 12CQ quantum computing chip.
I would like to share a recent report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) titled A Quantum Advantage in Fighting Climate Change. A key focus of the report is how quantum computing could provide economic solutions for companies and governments to fight climate change.
According to BCG: - Quantum computing’s impact is not as distant as some might assume. Recent advances indicate quantum computers could contribute to the highest-impact technologies for combating climate change. They could therefore start changing the economics for businesses in a number of industries in the near term.
- Quantum computing could contribute to solutions that change how power is stored and generated; how houses, cars, ships, and airplanes are built; how transportation is powered; and even how industrial processes such as cement, steel, and fertiliser manufacturing are designed.
- To generate truly global impact, quantum-enabled technologies will need to be successfully industrialised and deployed worldwide.
The BCG report goes into detail on early applications for quantum computing in emissions reduction, including developing new catalysts, materials, and fluid dynamics. You can find the full BCG report here.
Industrially relevant quantum computing
Close to 50 quantum computing publications with applications in chemistry have been made in the last few years by organisations in the IBM Q Network of which Archer is a member of. Some examples include:- Using a real quantum computer, research teams from Exxon Mobil and IBM computed important information about hydrogen molecules. Hydrogen is an important chemical for the development of fertilisers, in energy storage, and water splitting and purification.
- IBM, Daimler AG and Mercedes Benz R&D have published work in the area of quantum algorithms and machine learning for use in lithium ion batteries, and have used a 4-qubit quantum computing device to simulate industrially relevant products in lithium-sulfur batteries.
If you are interested in further technical reading on this topic, this recent publication summarises many (on page 3, Table 1) instances quantum computing hardware has been applied to simulating molecular and material chemistry, and reviews near-term applications that would be both beneficial and relevant to industrial use.
It is amazing what has been achieved in the quantum ecosystem to date with only a few-qubit quantum computing hardware, considering current technology roadmaps by IBM and others involve a track to thousands of qubits over the next few years.
Sincerely,
Dr Mohammad Choucair, FRACI FRSN GAICD
Chief Executive Officer
Archer Materials Limited (ASX:AXE) | 
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