Smart Systems

TU Dresden: Around 4.5 million euros in federal funding for communicating quantum technologies to the general public

June 21, 2024. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the joint project “QUAntenkommunikation netzweRke Kompetenz für die gesellSchaft” (QUARKS) coordinated by Prof. Frank Fitzek – holder of the Deutsche Telekom Professorship for Communication Networks and spokesperson for the Cluster of Excellence “Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop” (CeTI) – at the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) with over 4.47 million euros. Leading pioneers of quantum computing gathered at the TUD for the kick-off meeting on June 20, 2024. In addition to Prof. Fitzek, Prof. Holger Boche (Chair of Theoretical Information Technology, TU Munich), Prof. Riccardo Bassoli (Junior Professorship for Quantum Communication Networks, TUD) and Dr. Gopi Balasubramanian took part in the event. The latter’s start-up XeedQ is the leading practical partner in the project and aims to pave the way for fault-tolerant quantum computers for the mass market with the XQ1 mobile quantum processor.

Quantenressourcen sind für die künftige Kommunikation, den sozialen Fortschritt und das Wirtschaftswachstum von zentraler Bedeutung. Foto: Andrea Müller, generated with AI

Bringing quantum communication to life

The QUARKS project is dedicated to quantum communication and brings the potential applications of this high technology for business and society to life. It includes experiments on qubits, programming exercises on quantum superposition and aspects of quantum communication that are impossible with conventional communication networks. It is aimed in particular at skilled workers from industry, society and schoolchildren from grade 10 upwards.

“The scientists at TUD are aware of their responsibility to society in these turbulent times,” says TUD Rector Prof. Ursula Staudinger. “Qualified people and digital sovereignty are a valuable asset for competitiveness and economic development in Germany. QUARKS promises insightful research results in the course of the project.”

The QUARKS project proposal impressed with a concept that goes beyond traditional forms of communication: “No other project focuses so strongly on mutually communicating quantum concepts for the design of future communication networks to various groups in society,” explains Prof. Frank Fitzek from TUD. “Quantum resources and their technological implementations are central to future communication, social progress and economic growth. They will improve security in general, reduce technical delay – for example when interacting with robots – and drastically reduce energy consumption for future services such as interactions in the metaverse.”

Quantum communication for all

QuARKS involves innovation days in industrial companies, hybrid school models, technology demonstrators and participatory events in public institutions. In addition to an understandable approach for the public, QUARKS also includes modules for skilled workers and school students in Dresden and Munich as science locations for quantum communication networks. The aim is to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the field of quantum communication.

Background

The Quantum activ – Outreach concepts and open innovation for quantum technologies topic area:
The BMBF’s “Quantum aktiv – Outreach concepts and open innovation for quantum technologies” funding measure aims to bring quantum technologies closer to as many people as possible, make them understandable and reduce inhibitions. The aim is also to enable active participation in the innovation process in highly topical research topics. This requires creative approaches that prepare research on quantum technologies for broad and diverse target groups. https://www.quantentechnologien.de/forschung/foerderung/quantum-aktiv-outreach-konzepte-und-open-innovation-fuer-quantentechnologien.html

CeTI Cluster of Excellence at TU Dresden

The Center for Tactile Internet with Human-Machine Interaction is a Cluster of Excellence at TU Dresden. In future, people should be able to interact with robots or machines in the real or virtual world in real time. The aim of the research is to democratize access to skills and expertise in order to promote equal opportunities for people of different genders, ages, cultural backgrounds or physical disabilities. Scientists from the fields of electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, psychology, medicine and neuroscience work together on an interdisciplinary basis to create the foundations for new applications in medicine, industry and the Internet of Skills. https://ceti.one/de/

The Technische Universität Dresden (TUD)

As a University of Excellence, the TUD is one of the most powerful research institutions in Germany. With around 8,300 employees and around 29,000 students in 17 faculties, it is one of the largest technically-oriented universities. Founded in 1828, today it is a globally oriented, regionally anchored top university that aims to make innovative contributions to solving global challenges. In research and teaching, it combines engineering and natural sciences with the humanities, social sciences and medicine. This nationally outstanding diversity of subjects enables the university to promote interdisciplinarity and bring science into society.