One million euros in funding in ten years to develop research in quantum science and technology towards technological products.
Trento takes on the challenge launched by the European Union with its Flagship on Quantum Technologies with a series of projects that revolve around three pillars: research, education, technology transfer.
A new hub, to attract European funding but also to train a new generation of professionals in a key sector for the future.
In Italy, Trentino will take the leadership in this field with Quantum@Trento, the joint laboratory that unites the University, Fondazione Bruno Kessler and the National Research Council (CNR) with support from the Autonomous Province of Trento and Fondazione Caritro.
This wide and diverse participation reflects the need to link very different competences in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, to deal with quantum computers, cryptography, quantum sensors.
The project was officially presented on 5 July at Polo Ferrari in Povo by Paolo Collini, Rector of the University of Trento, and Lorenzo Pavesi, Director of the Department of Physics.
Thanks to the know-how, equipment and facilities available at local level, Quantum @ Trento will be able to work on all the phases of technological development: from the design of new theories and models to the testing of new physical phenomena, from the modelling and creation of new devices to their development as pre-prototypes of new technologies.
In line with the European flagship initiative, the laboratory will focus on five areas: development of new knowledge through the study of quantum sciences; the quantum paradigm to create new safe communication protocols; the use of qubits instead of bits in new quantum computer architectures to expand the current limits of computing; the modelling of complex phenomena through quantum simulation to replicate their evolution in controlled systems; and, to conclude, the use of single particle sensors and super high resolution and accuracy measurements.
Good news as concerns education, with the launch of a pilot project for the establishment of an interdepartmental master’s degree in Quantum Engineering which will represent an innovation compared to similar courses at other Italian universities. The new degree programme will train professionals in quantum sciences and technologies who will be able to understand and make the most of QT innovations in already existing companies or to start new businesses.
The project for a national technology transfer hub in quantum science and technologies in Trento attracted CNR and provided the occasion to further strengthen the relationships with Fondazione Bruno Kessler.
All the details in the press release