Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

It takes an especially talented person to understand the complexities of quantum capabilities. It takes an even smarter person to build out a quantum network and engineer the future of quantum computing. For the general population (myself included), it’s challenging to even wrap our minds around.

At the heart of quantum computing are qubits (quantum bits). They’re different from regular computer bits, which are a series of zeros and ones. Qubits can be zeros or ones, or they could be both at the same time, which is called superposition.

Thanks to superposition, a quantum computer can try infinite possibilities at the same time, whereas a traditional computer could only try one possibility at a time.

Quantum brings people and concepts together

 The focus of IonQ Inc.’s inaugural Quantum Immersion Day: TN Edition on Monday was to share with the community how quantum concepts could alter society as we know it.

About a hundred quantum physicists, computer scientists, engineers, government and corporate partners packed into the University of Tennessee Research Park’s Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing for a day-long session of connections, speakers, panels, and education about the progress in the quantum industry.

IonQ is leading the industry in this sort of research. They have acquired a handful of quantum start-ups across the country – including Qubitekk, which was founded in San Diego, CA, by Duncan Earl.

In 2022 ,Qubitekk helped develop and launch the EPB Quantum Network in Chattanooga, which was the first commercially available quantum network in the U.S. It also served as a very excellent example of how public-private partnerships can fuel innovation, collaboration, and progress.

Chattanooga as an example

Tasia Malakasis, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Company Lab (CO.LAB), moderated a panel with IonQ’s Duncan Earl, Janet Rehberg, the President of EPB’s Strategic Initiatives Unit, Charles “Charlie” Brock, the CEO of the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative (CQC), and Dr. Rick Mukherjee, the inaugural Director of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Quantum Center.

The five of them are united in the mission to bring the quantum future to Chattanooga. Rehberg (10 months) and Mukherjee (six months) are both relatively new to Southeastern Tennessee, but bring along a plethora of industry experience to the initiative.

Rehberg explained her excitement for EPB’s part in the quantum initiatives “We were wondering what could impact Chattanooga in the same way (or greater) than the Gig internet, and Fiber internet did… and we see Quantum as being the answer to that question.”

She explained EPB’s interest as being beyond monetary, but instead a community and economic development approach first. For example, by building out the first quantum network and quantum computer, she believes it will attract start-ups to come and test the product, ultimately leading to more dollars coming into Southeastern Tennessee.

“It’s a great business attraction tool to bring these innovative companies and founders to Chattanooga,” she said.

Mukherjee has an impressive background as it relates to quantum. He attended the most prestigious research institutions in Europe, was on research teams at Harvard University and Rice University, and served as a scientist at the Center for Optical Quantum Technologies at the University of Hamburg in Germany.

So, why would he come to Chattanooga?

Mukherjee said that out of all the places he had been, Chattanooga had the strongest, most aligned quantum strategy.

“I always wanted to work in a place where government, academia, and private industry are all working toward the same thing – and I see that at play in Chattanooga,” he said.

Between EPB, CQC, UTC, and contributions from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the realization of quantum is closer than ever. And, the interest in the field is growing with each passing year.

Rehberg shared that EPB contemplated – and eventually decided to post an in-person job position for a quantum physicist in Chattanooga. They reluctantly decided to do so, after worrying for months that nobody would apply.

“To our surprise, we had to close the position within six weeks because we received more than 30 qualified applications from people across the country,” Rehberg said. “To us, that’s a sign that we’re doing something right.”

Though Earl’s start-up was acquired, he continues to work with IonQ in partnership with EPB.

“When it comes to Quantum – whoever wins the talent wins the race. Right now, we’re winning,” he said.

The remainder of the inaugural event featured a deep dive into quantum research, theory, and practical applications for the technology.

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