The EQUALITY consortium brings together scientists, innovators, and prominent industrial players with the mission of developing cutting-edge quantum computing algorithms and utilisation techniques to solve strategic industrial problems.
EQUALITY targets six paradigmatic industrial problems that can benefit the most from the quantum-enabled speed-up: computational fluid dynamics for aerospace and energy applications, design of batteries and fuel cells, development of new materials for energy applications, multidisciplinary optimization, space mission optimization, space data analysis.
These problems are computationally complex and are faced routinely by the industrial partners in this project. In many cases, the computational requirements are enormous, forcing engineers to use simplistic models or rely on expensive build-and-test cycles. This is exemplified in aerodynamics, where it is more feasible to test models in a wind tunnel than solving the difficult equations involved in simulations. And similarly complex situations are also found in Li-ion batteries and fuel cell simulations.
Hence, the opportunity provided by quantum computers to tackle such questions computationally would give a competitive edge to the European industry. Moreover, improved aerodynamics and more performant batteries and fuel cells are critical to propelling these industries towards zero emissions.
The use of today’s quantum hardware, however, requires grappling with the limitations of this nascent technology. These bottlenecks limit the application of quantum computers to solve industrial problems. Therefore, in addition to the algorithms aimed at the use-cases, the project develops a set of strategies and software approaches that maximize the hardware capabilities of quantum computers available in the near future.
By transforming current industrial interest into widespread adoption, EQUALITY will solidify the link between strategic European industries and the emerging quantum ecosystem while also contributing to technologies critical to the green transition.
