Illinois Tech to Partner with Fermilab on $115 Million National Quantum Initiative Center
CHICAGO—August 26, 2020—The Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) today announced that it will join Fermilab’s new $115 million Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS), to help develop a new generation of quantum computers that could be millions of times more powerful than modern supercomputers. SQMS is a part of the $575 million National Quantum Initiative Center announced by the White House and Department of Energy on Wednesday.
Quantum computing harnesses the power of the atomic model to increase processing speeds by orders of magnitude. John F. Zasadzinski, the Paul and Suzi Schutt Endowed Chair in Science and professor of physics, will serve as Illinois Tech’s principal investigator. As a part of his research, Zasadzinski will oversee fundamental experiments that will assist Fermilab in the development of superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities that will be a principal component of a new type of quantum bit (qubit). His focus will be to increase the length of time that qubits and thus quantum computers can maintain information—a key question in the field of quantum science.
Fermilab’s SQMS will serve as one of five National Quantum Initiative Centers in the United States, and represents a partnership of 20 institutions spanning superconductivity, materials, computational and quantum science and technology. As a part of this initiative, researchers will also work to develop ultrasensitive sensors, based on qubits, that could ultimately lead to the discovery of the nature of dark matter.
“While Illinois Tech’s role in SQMS is an extension of our existing partnership with Fermilab over the last 12 years, the SQMS represents a new chapter in our ability to offer our students a chance to help shape some of the most dynamic fields of science,” said Zasadzinski. “As Chicago’s tech university, we are thrilled to be able to bring these research opportunities to bear for our Illinois Tech students, so that they can truly be on the forefront of our nation’s quantum computing efforts.”
In partnership with Fermilab, Illinois Tech will be able to offer both undergraduate and graduate research opportunities at the SQMS Center.
“Illinois Tech has historical strengths in particle and quantum physics, dating back to late faculty member and Nobel Prize-winner Leon Lederman, who also served as director of Fermilab,” said Peter Kilpatrick, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Illinois Tech. “We are proud that John and his research team are continuing that legacy and are advancing the fundamentals of quantum computing. We are also excited to be able to offer these types of research opportunities for our undergraduate and graduate students at SQMS.”
ABOUT ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Illinois Institute of Technology, also known as Illinois Tech, is a private, technology-focused research university. Illinois Tech is the only university of its kind in Chicago, and its Chicago location offers students access to the world-class resources of a great global metropolis. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science and human sciences, and law. One of 23 institutions that comprise the Association of Independent Technological Universities, Illinois Tech provides an exceptional education centered on active learning, and its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Illinois Tech uniquely prepares students to succeed in professions that require technological sophistication, an innovative mindset, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Visit iit.edu.
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