Around 4.5 million euros in federal funding for communicating quantum technologies to the general public
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is providing over 4.47 million euros in funding for the joint project "QUAntenkommunikation netzweRke Kompetenz für die gesellSchaft" (QUARKS) coordinated by Prof. Frank Fitzek - holder of the Deutsche Telekom Chair of Communication Networks and spokesperson for the Cluster of Excellence "Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop" (CeTI) - at the TUD Dresden University of Technology (TUD). 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. His 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.
Bringing quantum communication to life
The QUARKS project is dedicated to quantum communication and makes the application potential of this high technology for business and society tangible. 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 and society as well as school pupils from year 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 diverse groups in society," explains Prof. Frank Fitzek from the 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. This is intended to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the field of quantum communication.
