State, university officials tout opening of new quantum research center

State officials, University of Maryland leaders and quantum research representatives celebrated the opening of the Microsoft Quantum Research Center in the university’s Discovery District Tuesday.

Charlie Tahan, a Microsoft quantum partner, touted the university’s emphasis on quantum research and its proximity to Washington, D.C., as reasons the center is located in College Park.

The lab was announced at last September’s Quantum World Congress with the project being greenlit a day before the event, Tahan said.

The university also expanded faculty and student access to quantum computing machines in an agreement between its National Quantum Laboratory and IBM quantum processing units.

Tuesday’s event also served as an opening for the Quantum World Congress, hosted by the university, later this week.