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Cierra

Today’s issue includes:

• Grover's quantum search algorithm is used to optimize searches in weighted databases, where data distributions are non-uniform.

• A quantum workflow is used to study corrosion inhibition mechanisms on aluminum surfaces.

• Two quantum algorithms are used to optimize real-time vehicle routing in logistics, especially the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem.

QUANTUM APPLICATION HEADLINES

🏋️‍♀️ Adapting Grover's Algorithm for Real-World Data: Quantum Speedups in Weighted Databases

APPLICATION: Researchers from Beijing Institute of Technology and the Basque Country University extend Grover's quantum search algorithm to optimize searches in weighted databases, where data distributions are non-uniform.

SIGNIFICANCE: Grover’s algorithm has long been celebrated for its quadratic speedup in unstructured search problems. However, real-world data often deviates from uniformity, requiring advanced techniques to maintain quantum efficiency. This study not only identifies conditions under which Grover's method can still accelerate searches but also provides insights into its performance in scenarios like coherent-state distributions. These findings may provide a path for Grover's applicability, particularly in quantum machine learning, optimization problems, and real-time decision-making systems.

HOW: The research introduces an analysis of Grover’s algorithm using differential equations to model the search dynamics in weighted databases. The researchers identified key conditions under which Grover's quadratic speedup can still be achieved despite data distribution irregularities. They validated their approach through two examples: one involving unstructured databases, which aligned with Grover's original results, and another using coherent-state databases. In the latter, they demonstrated that Grover’s algorithm could outperform classical methods even in databases with highly specific probability distributions.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• O(√N) speedup — Achieved by Grover's algorithm for weighted databases, contrasting with the linear scaling of classical searches.

• 90% accuracy — Validation of their differential equation model compared to numerical simulations.

• ~50% fewer steps — Required in quantum search compared to classical methods for certain coherent-state distributions.

• Up to 10x efficiency gain — Observed in databases where probability distributions deviate significantly from uniformity.

🔋 A Quantum-Powered Workflow for Eco-Friendly Metal Protection

APPLICATION: A study by infoteam presents a quantum-classical hybrid workflow to study corrosion inhibition mechanisms on aluminum surfaces. This workflow uses density functional theory combined with the ADAPT-VQE quantum algorithm to model interactions between aluminum surfaces and two triazole-based inhibitors.

SIGNIFICANCE: Protecting metal surfaces from corrosion in aerospace and automotive industries is necessary for improving component longevity. With environmental regulations phasing out toxic chromium-based inhibitors, there’s a need for eco-friendly alternatives. This study demonstrates the potential of quantum computing to support corrosion inhibitor design, particularly for environmentally stable organic molecules like triazoles. The research provides a foundational approach for exploring surface-adsorbate interactions, which are also relevant to other materials science challenges such as carbon capture and battery technology.

HOW: The researchers integrated classical DFT with the ADAPT-VQE quantum algorithm to analyze how 1,2,4-Triazole and 1,2,4-Triazole-3-thiol interact with an aluminum (111) surface. Binding energy calculations revealed that the sulfur-containing thiol derivative exhibited stronger surface adhesion than its parent compound, aligning with experimental findings. The workflow involved machine learning potentials for geometry optimization, periodic boundary conditions for DFT, and advanced quantum embedding techniques to simulate electronic interactions accurately. Benchmarking showed that the hybrid approach could achieve computational speedups of 5–6× while maintaining the accuracy of traditional DFT methods.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• -1.279 eV — Binding energy of 1,2,4-Triazole-3-thiol on aluminum, where the lower (more negative) the value, the stronger the adhesion, the more effective in preventing corrosion.

• ~5–6× speedup — Achieved by the ADAPT-VQE algorithm compared to traditional DFT methods; relevant for industries where quick, accurate simulations can accelerate the development of materials.

• 90%+ efficiency — Performance of inhibitors in corrosion prevention; achieving over 90% efficiency suggests these inhibitors are not just theoretical curiosities but practical solutions ready for industrial applications.

🚛 Quantum Algorithms Improve Efficiency in Vehicle Routing

APPLICATION: Researchers from RIT Bangalore and Unisys India have developed two hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, H2S and H3S, to optimize real-time vehicle routing in logistics, especially the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem where the goal is to minimize travel costs and maximize efficiency in transportation systems.

SIGNIFICANCE: Efficient logistics are critical for reducing costs and environmental impacts in industries such as transportation and supply chain management. However, the CVRP is an NP-hard problem, meaning traditional computers struggle with large-scale solutions. By combining quantum annealing for routing with classical clustering techniques, this study demonstrates a new, scalable framework for solving CVRP faster and more cost-effectively.

HOW: The researchers introduced a two-phase approach to tackle CVRP. First, customer locations were clustered using fuzzy clustering, which groups customers based on proximity and truck capacity constraints. This step simplified the problem by organizing data into manageable clusters for subsequent optimization. The next phase involved solving the routing problem within each cluster. The H2S algorithm applied quantum annealing directly to each cluster to find the optimal routes, while the H3S algorithm added an intermediate step: solving a CVRP at the cluster level before addressing the traveling salesman problem for individual trucks. This intermediate step allowed H3S to better handle instances where customer distributions were non-uniform or depots were located at the edges of the service area. Both approaches used D-Wave’s quantum annealers for routing, combined with Python-based classical tools for clustering and preprocessing.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• 855 vs. 784 (Optimal) — For a dataset with 32 customers and 5 trucks, the H3S algorithm achieved a routing cost of 855 compared to the optimal cost of 784, reflecting an 8.3% deviation while using less computational time.

• 15 minutes — Average time taken by quantum annealing to solve routing problems, enabling near real-time decision-making for logistics operations.

• 10% improvement — H3S consistently outperformed H2S in instances where depots were located at the edges of service areas, showcasing its ability to handle geographically dispersed scenarios more efficiently.

• 100+ instances — Tested on datasets representing real-world logistics challenges, validating the applicability of these hybrid methods.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

🧭 A team from Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of Rochester introduce the qCOMBPASS framework, a quantum sensing approach using quantum frequency combs and path identity to enable remote sensing without quantum memory. By using quantum-induced coherence and two-mode squeezed light, the framework can detect, range, and sense distant objects with reduced photon loss and enhanced coherence over long distances.

📶 Researchers at Keio University present a framework using the QAOA to improve compressive sensing—reconstructing sparse signals from a minimal number of measurements. By integrating structured measurement patterns and quantum solvers, the method addresses the computational bottlenecks of classical techniques, especially for large-scale problems. Simulations demonstrate that QAOA can outperform classical methods in cases involving more complex constraints.

📈 Scientists at the University of Trento, the Technology Innovation Institute, and eleQtron GmbH investigate the potential advantages of using polynomial unconstrained binary optimization over the standard quadratic unconstrained binary optimization for quantum annealing. PUBO formulations naturally express higher-order problems without introducing additional qubits and show improved performance, such as larger minimum energy gaps and faster annealing times, compared to QUBO reductions. By testing on paradigmatic problems like 3-SAT, the research demonstrates resource efficiency and scalability improvements.

NEWS QUICK BYTES

✨ China unveiled the Tianyan-50" superconducting quantum computer with a 504-qubit Xiaohong chip. Co-developed by leading Chinese quantum research institutions, the system will be integrated into the Tianyan quantum cloud platform.

🚚 D-Wave Quantum Inc. CEO Dr. Alan Baratz highlighted on Fox Business' Making Money with Charles Payne how the company's annealing quantum computing technology is enabling real-world business applications. D-Wave's systems are actively used for optimization challenges like workforce scheduling and logistics.

🎉 Switzerland inaugurated its first commercially usable quantum computer, the IonQ Forte system, at the Uptown Basel competence center. Developed in collaboration with Quantum Basel, the system is accessible via cloud and physical interfaces. This computer supports companies, academia, and start-ups in fields like optimization, simulation, and machine learning.

🛩️ Oxford Ionics, Quanscient, and Airbus have partnered under the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre’s SparQ program to explore quantum simulations for computational fluid dynamics to enhance aerodynamics design accuracy and reduce computational costs. Combining Oxford Ionics’ ‘Electronic Qubit Control’ technology and Quanscient’s algorithms, the collaboration will assess quantum applications for airfoil design and vehicle aerodynamics, with Airbus providing critical industry feedback.

QUANTUM MEDIA

WATCH

A panel at XPANSE 2024 in Abu Dhabi explored the practical challenges and opportunities of bringing quantum technologies to market, featuring thought leaders from across the quantum ecosystem.

THAT’S A WRAP.