Quantum computing

Quantum computing could revolutionize scientific computing since they promise to solve certain complex problems in seconds instead of days or years. Some of the questions that have to be answered are:

• What must the problems look like such that quantum computers can solve them efficiently?
• How must algorithms for quantum computers be constructed?
• How do you formulate algorithms on these computers so that they can fully develop their potential?

Fraunhofer SCAI is therefore engaged in the following fields of research:

• Exploration of innovative algorithms
• Transfer of new insights into economy and society
• Development of new business models

The development of competence of German and European companies in this new field is important for international competitiveness in the dynamic markets of digital change.

At Fraunhofer SCAI, the business areas High Performance Computing, Virtual Material Design, Numerica Data-Driven Prediction, Optimization and Computational Finance are working together on this issue for the future.

In addition, Fraunhofer SCAI is in partnership with many institutes of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. We also maintain close links with the activities of other research institutions in the region.

Quantum optimization

Certain classes of optimization tasks will be very suitable for quantum computers. This will have a major impact on all industries in which corresponding optimization methods play a role. These include in particular the logistics industry with all its aspects from fleet management to warehouse optimization. Here, robust optimizations in real time will become possible. This will also have an impact on entire value chains and the business models they contain.

Quantum AI

One goal of the research is to make quantum computers usable for machine learning (ML) methods and thus achieve new breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI).

Quantum numerics

There are first approaches to bring numerical methods to quantum computers. However, the question arises whether the physical problems have be formulated in a completely different way for quantum computers. In the future it may not even be necessary to discretize differential equations and then solve large systems with numerical methods. Instead, it is conceivable that we will be able to process physical models much more directly with these new processors. However, there is still a relatively high degree of uncertainty in this area about the advantage of quantum computers.