Fujitsu has developed a prototype diamond-spin quantum computer that incorporates tin-vacancy (SnV) centres into photonic integrated circuits The prototype can operate at -271.6°C, higher than the typical operating temperature of a superconducting quantum computer, and Fujitsu has demonstrated in a test environment that it can be used via the Fujitsu Hybrid Quantum Computing Platform without additional specialist knowledge. This development marks a significant milestone toward a modular architecture, one of the most promising approaches for scaling quantum computers, thanks to its high fidelity and efficient optical connectivity. The prototype builds on joint research started in 2020 by Fujitsu, Delft University of Technology, and QuTech, a quantum technology research institute part of TU Delft. Fujitsu will develop a prototype of a multi-module diamond-spin quantum computer by 2027. Fujitsu will also begin developing technologies to integrate the diamond-spin with a superconducting approach, accelerating progress toward large-scale quantum computers. This initiative is part of Fujitsu’s quantum roadmap, which outlines the company’s aim to realise practical quantum computing by 2030. Vivek Mahajan, corporate executive officer, corporate vice president, CTO, in charge of System Platform, Fujitsu Limited, said, “The diamond-spin approach we have applied in this prototype not only offers exceptional scalability in its own right, but also has the potential to be integrated with superconducting quantum computers to further extend their capabilities, enabling more complex and large-scale computations. “Under our roadmap to achieve a 250 logical qubit system by fiscal 2030 and a 1,000 logical qubit system by fiscal 2035, Fujitsu will continue advancing practical quantum computing across a broad range of areas, from software to hardware, while leveraging the key advantages of the diamond-spin approach, including high fidelity and optical connectivity.” Dr Kees Eijkel, general director, QuTech, Delft University of Technology, said, “We are delighted to announce this prototype diamond spin quantum computer
18h ago · via engineerlive.com
Fujitsu has developed the world’s first working prototype of a diamond-spin quantum computer incorporating tin-vacancy (SnV) centers into photonic integrated circuits. Operating at -271.6°C, this prototype surpasses the typical temperature of superconducting quantum computers by a fraction of a degree, potentially easing cooling demands. The development, stemming from joint research with Delft University of Technology and QuTech, marks a step toward scalable quantum computing through modular architecture. Vivek Mahajan, Corporate Executive Officer at Fujitsu, said the technology also has the potential to be integrated with superconducting quantum computers. Tin-Vacancy Centers Integrated with Photonic Circuits Enable Scalability Fujitsu’s prototype incorporates nanometer-sized diamond crystals containing tin-vacancy centers with alumina optical waveguides; this fabrication technology allows for the extraction of single photons emitted from the SnV centers during qubit readout. This precise integration represents a departure from earlier designs, enabling efficient optical connectivity that supports scaling quantum processors. The company developed thinning technology to reduce diamond substrate thickness from several hundred micrometers to several hundred nanometers, a feat necessary for creating functional quantum computing chips. The prototype’s operation at -271.6°C is noteworthy because it exceeds the typical operating temperature of -273.13°C for superconducting quantum computers, suggesting potential reductions in cooling system complexity and cost. This higher operating temperature stems from the properties of the diamond-spin approach and its integration with the developed photonics-integrated circuits. Fujitsu also created a mechanism to convert quantum circuits into control sequences for physical operations specific to the diamond spin approach, allowing control through the existing Fujitsu Hybrid Quantum Computing Platform. Looking ahead, Fujitsu plans to develop a prototype multi-module diamond-spin quantum computer by 2027, signaling a commitment to a modular architecture for scalability. Kees Eijkel, General Director of QuTech at Delft University of Technology, described the prototype as acknowledging the ongoing challenges in demonstrating the scalability expected of
18h ago · via quantumzeitgeist.com
Abstract Dynamic random access memory is critical to classical computing but notably absent in current superconducting quantum processors. Integrating high-coherence memory units would enable resource-efficient control of logical qubits and allow the separate optimization of logic and storage subsystems. Here we realize an eight-bit cascaded random access quantum memory. We use a single transmon to classically address seven memory modes while isolating them from processor nonlinearities by introducing a buffer layer between the processor and a multimode storage cavity. We demonstrate arbitrary random access with an average infidelity of less than 1.5% per mode and characterize the many-body interactions that dominate the error budget. This architecture enables a significant reduction in control lines per logical qubit and supports transversal operations within the memory module, establishing a scalable unit cell for fault-tolerant quantum architectures. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access options Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 print issues and online access $259.00 per year only $21.58 per issue Buy this article - Purchase on SpringerLink - Instant access to the full article PDF. USD 39.95 Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Data availability All data used within this Article are available from the corresponding author upon request. Source data are provided with this paper. These data are also available via figshare at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.32736012 (ref. 49). Code availability Simulation codes are available via figshare at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.32736012 (ref. 49). All other codes used within this Article are available from the corresponding author upon request. References - Ofek, N. et al. Extending the lifetime of a quantum bit with error correction in superconducting circuits. Nature 536, 441 (2016). - Takeda,
18h ago · via nature.com
In a new roadmap published on Sept. 7, the Ethereum Foundation’s Protocol Cluster said it is targeting a fully quantum-resistant Ethereum layer 1 by December 2029. The goal covers all three major parts of Ethereum’s base layer: execution, consensus, and data. The Foundation is preparing for the possibility that sufficiently powerful quantum computers could appear as early as 2030. However, at this point, it seems to be more likely that such a breakthrough will occur further into the future. Ethereum developers do not want to wait until the threat becomes imminent. "Q-day cannot be scheduled, so we have assigned ourselves a self-imposed deadline," the Protocol Cluster said. The December 2029 target will remain effectively non-negotiable until at least January 2027 (when the Foundation plans to reassess developments). Why quantum computers matter A sufficiently advanced quantum computer could theoretically break some of the cryptographic schemes that blockchains currently rely on. The Foundation is now trying to replace vulnerable systems well before such machines become practical. Its roadmap includes post-quantum signature schemes and changes across Ethereum’s transaction, consensus and data-availability systems. Ethereum’s upcoming Glamsterdam upgrade is currently targeted for December 2026. Under one version of the roadmap, full post-quantum readiness would arrive five hard forks later. Another path would bring Ethereum to the minimum viable quantum-resistant milestone at a slower 12-month cadence. The quantum-resistance roadmap comes as Ethereum developers begin determining the scope of Hegotá, the upgrade expected to follow Glamsterdam. The Foundation views Hegotá as an important prerequisite for reaching quantum-resistance.
19h ago · via u.today
A 3D printing technology that Nano Dimension sold just five months ago is now being installed inside one of Israel’s largest defense companies. QTREX Quantum (Nasdaq: QTEX) bought Nano Dimension’s Additively Manufactured Electronics (AME) business in April. Now, one of its new customers, an unnamed Israeli aerospace and defense manufacturer, has begun deploying the technology. QTREX said on September 2 that the first AME system is being installed at the customer’s facilities as part of a joint development program. While the customer’s name has not been disclosed, it is being described as one of Israel’s three largest defense companies and a major global aerospace and defense manufacturer. QTREX noted that: “The first QTREX AME system is now being installed at the partner’s facilities. The agreement includes exclusivity provisions that underscore the strategic importance the partner places on QTREX’s technology. It also outlines a potential phased commercial pathway toward broader AME system rollouts, with aggregate revenue for QTREX in the tens of millions of dollars. The partner’s identity is not being disclosed at this stage pursuant to contractual confidentiality obligations.” The announcement also provides a look at what is happening to Nano Dimension’s former AM businesses under their new owner. In April, Nano Dimension sold AME, along with its Fabrica micro-3D printing operation, as part of a broader effort to cut costs and sell assets it no longer considered central to its plans. QTREX bought both businesses. Now, just five months after the sale, one of those technologies is moving into a major defense manufacturer. From Nano Dimension to QTREX QTREX was still called Inspira Technologies when it agreed to buy the AME and Fabrica assets on April 1. The transaction closed on April 6. It paid $2 million upfront, with additional payments that could bring the total purchase price to
20h ago · via 3dprint.com
Fujitsu unveils world's first diamond-spin quantum computer prototype with tin-vacancy centers
● 3 hours ago
Fujitsu has developed the world's first working prototype of a diamond-spin quantum computer incorporating tin-vacancy centres into photonic integrated circuits. The prototype operates at -271.6°C, higher than typical superconducting quantum computers at -273.13°C.
The system can be used via Fujitsu's Hybrid Quantum Computing Platform without specialist knowledge. It represents progress towards modular quantum computing architecture due to high fidelity and efficient optical connectivity.
The prototype is based on joint research started in 2020 by Fujitsu, Delft University of Technology, and QuTech. Fujitsu aims to achieve a 250 logical qubit system by fiscal 2030 and 1,000 logical qubits by fiscal 2035. The diamond-spin approach offers scalability and potential integration with superconducting quantum computers for more complex computations.
Source: prnewswire.com
Fujitsu
Tokyo, Japan
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20h ago · via app.dealroom.co
The Kvanttinova ecosystem in Finland is powering global spearheads in quantum, microelectronics, and photonics Chips – the backbone of semiconductors, microelectronics, and quantum technologies – are among the critical technologies shaping our future. The Kvanttinova ecosystem joins players across these technologies, with the goal of creating new business, boosting competitiveness, and strengthening Finland’s contribution to Europe’s technological future. The emergence of multiple unicorns and the Helsinki region’s recent ranking as the top quantum cluster globally (ECIPE, 2025) are no coincidence, but a direct result of a culture of strategic collaboration, innovation creation, and a longstanding tradition of sharing resources. The ecosystem holds strong synergies and world-leading novel deep-tech in microelectronics, photonics, and quantum. The Kvanttinova ecosystem covers the capital region of Finland, with a hotspot in Otaniemi, Espoo. The organisation facilitating the ecosystem, Kvanttinova Ltd, is a joint company of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Aalto University, and the City of Espoo. Kvanttinova Ltd is also a partner in the Finnish Chips Competence Centre (FiCCC), connecting Finnish companies and researchers with semiconductor expertise and European networks. Together with its partner network, Kvanttinova helps companies, researchers, talent and investors access the expertise and connections needed to develop and scale new technologies. “Together with our partner network, we are building an even stronger collaboration between research and industry, encouraging significant R&D and design site investments and attracting talent to enter the ecosystem. A thriving ecosystem means prospering businesses and a vast number of new jobs,” said Jussi Tuovinen, CEO of Kvanttinova Ltd. In the Kvanttinova ecosystem, Aalto University’s education and research excellence connects with VTT’s strong expertise in applied research, specialised microelectronics processes, and quantum technology. This collaboration between education, research, and the business landscape forms the heart of Espoo’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, and thus Kvanttinova’s. Today, more than 100 companies
21h ago · via innovationnewsnetwork.com
Ethereum promises quantum resistance by 2029 The Ethereum Foundation has identified the key proposals for the upcoming Hegotá upgrade. The organization has set December 2029 as the deadline for Ethereum to achieve full protection against threats posed by quantum computers. According to The Block, the EF Protocol team evaluated 62 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) being considered for Hegotá. On the consensus layer, the key proposal will be FOCIL — Fork-Choice Enforced Inclusion Lists (EIP-7805). The mechanism is designed to strengthen Ethereum’s censorship resistance by allowing a group of validators to require the inclusion of valid transactions from the public mempool. This should reduce the risk of a dominant block builder being able to selectively exclude users’ transactions. On the execution layer, Frame Transactions (EIP-8141) received must-ship status. It is intended to make account abstraction native to Ethereum while improving network security and its readiness for quantum threats. The proposal would split transactions into programmable stages responsible for validation, gas payment, and execution. This would allow wallets to use custom signature schemes, pay fees on behalf of users, and bundle multiple actions without relying on third-party operators. The Ethereum Foundation called the safe rollout of these two mechanisms and testing how they work together the main engineering challenge for Hegotá. Which other proposals could make it into the upgrade A-tier proposals are expected to be included alongside the core changes unless developers are forced to reduce the scope of the upgrade. They include VOPS Profiles for FOCIL Eligibility (EIP-8369), which is linked to FOCIL, as well as Keyed Nonces (EIP-8250) and Recent Roots (EIP-8272), which complement Frame Transactions. B-tier proposals will be considered individually, while C-tier proposals have been assigned a lower priority. Developers have already declined to include another 28 EIPs in Hegotá. Ethereum prepares for “Q-day” Separately, EF Protocol
21h ago · via tradersunion.com
Balancing Optimism With Anxiety: How Think Tanks View Technology, Trade, and Geopolitics A survey among 32 think tank members of the Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance (GTIPA) across 25 countries finds strong optimism about technological progress, but much less confidence in the global policy environment. Respondents are bullish on emerging technologies and skeptical of recent trade changes, and broadly favor skills and trade openness. KEY TAKEAWAYS Key Takeaways Contents Introduction Technological change is accelerating as the political environment around it becomes more contested. Rapid technological developments and geopolitical shifts raise a practical question for policymakers: are innovation-policy experts fundamentally optimistic about the next decade, or do geopolitical fragmentation, regulatory pressures, and technological uncertainty increasingly dominate their outlook? This report surveys like-minded think tanks to examine how those expectations are evolving—and where they diverge across countries. Surveying global think tanks matters because they help shape policy priorities by informing governments, legislators, industry, and the broader thought leaders’ community. Their views can therefore reveal which technological and economic issues are rising in importance and which policy responses command the greatest support. Comparing perspectives across countries also helps identify where priorities converge or diverge, offering an early indication of where future cooperation may prove easier or more difficult. In this context, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) surveyed 32 think tanks in 25 countries that are part of the Global Trade and Innovation Policy Alliance (GTIPA). Because the survey draws on a nonrandom sample of like-minded organizations, some convergence in views is expected. Nevertheless, GTIPA members operate across diverse economic, institutional, and geopolitical contexts, allowing the survey to identify meaningful differences despite this inherent selection bias. Respondents assessed 10 propositions covering the following: ▪ Pace and impact of technological change ▪ The global trade system ▪ U.S.-China competition ▪ Geopolitics ▪
23h ago · via itif.org
S’pore and Luxembourg working to deepen ties in quantum tech, AI, space, satellite communications SINGAPORE – Singapore and Luxembourg are looking to deepen cooperation in technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence, as well as space and satellite communications. Such “emerging and critical” areas are among those where both countries will do more together, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during an official lunch he hosted for his Luxembourg counterpart Luc Frieden on Sept 7. PM Frieden is on an official visit to the Republic from Sept 6 to 8 – his first as prime minister. During a toast speech, PM Wong outlined how Luxembourg was not only a good partner, but also a “kindred spirit” of Singapore. While the two countries may be far apart geographically, they are close in circumstances and spirit, he said. Besides being small countries surrounded by much larger neighbours, they both have limited domestic markets and no natural resources. “But we have never allowed our size to define the limits of our ambitions,” said PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister. “Instead, we have turned our smallness into a reason to look outwards – staying open to the world, connecting people and businesses across borders, and building reputations as reliable and trusted partners.” This approach has delivered good outcomes, with both countries now major financial and business hubs and gateways to much larger markets in their respective regions, he added. Economic ties, too, have flourished, he said. Luxembourg is the largest European Union investor in Singapore, and, reciprocally, Singapore’s second-largest investment destination in the trade bloc. Building such a broad partnership is possible because both countries have similar world views, he noted, adding that all countries, especially small states, thrive in an open and connected world that facilitates trade, cooperation and respect for international rules.
1d ago · via straitstimes.com
The Ethereum Foundation (EF) has shared the results of its comprehensive review process for Hegotá, planned as one of the next major upgrades to the Ethereum network. The study, published by Protocol Cluster within the Foundation, examined and rated 62 Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) proposed as part of the upgrade. Published under the title “Hegotá EIP Opinion Compilation and Rating List,” this assessment is the first unified EIP rating list prepared by Protocol Cluster for a single Ethereum network upgrade. Approximately 60 researchers, engineers, and domain experts from nine different teams within Protocol Cluster participated in the review process. Participants submitted a total of 397 evaluation comments, with some of the controversial proposals discussed in face-to-face meetings. Another study published by the Ethereum Foundation outlined the current and long-term development priorities for the Ethereum protocol layer. The most notable of these goals was making the Ethereum Layer 1 network resilient to quantum computers by December 2029. The foundation stated that the scope of the Hegotá upgrade was determined by considering the Protocol Cluster’s long-term technical commitments and the shared priorities identified among the teams. The published rating of the 62 EIPs is also expected to contribute to the decision-making process regarding which proposals will be included in the upgrade. *This is not investment advice.
1d ago · via cryptonews.net
‘Shape-shifting’ quantum computer uses light to switch between different tasks Clavina combines linear and nonlinear quantum operations, advancing light-based quantum computing and error correction. ICL Writer: Eleanor Barrand - Imperial College London researchers developed a modular photonic processor called Clavina that combines programmable linear optical circuits with nonlinear quantum modules in one reconfigurable architecture. - The system demonstrated 100-mode Gaussian boson sampling, quantum correlations across 8,000 time bins, Schrödinger cat states and quasi-deterministic production of error-correction resources called GKP states at roughly 2,000 per second. - Clavina is not yet a fault-tolerant quantum computer, but its ability to reuse and swap functional modules could help photonic machines move beyond specialized experiments toward more general-purpose quantum processors. Light may become one of the most powerful tools for future quantum computers. Photons, the tiny particles that make up light, can carry quantum information quickly and with relatively low noise. But they also create a stubborn problem: they do not naturally interact very strongly. That weak interaction has limited many light-based quantum machines. They can perform useful linear operations, but they struggle with the nonlinear steps needed for full quantum computing. Researchers from Imperial College London’s Department of Physics and external collaborators have now developed a new architecture called Clavina, which combines programmable linear optics with specialized nonlinear quantum modules in one system. A Processor Inspired By Modern Computers Traditional photonic quantum systems often work like custom-built machines. They are designed for one task, and adapting them can require major hardware changes. Clavina takes a different approach. Its design draws inspiration from modern computer processors, which combine specialized parts for different jobs. A classical computer may use separate components for graphics, AI and general processing. In a similar spirit, Clavina routes quantum light between different functional modules. A central control unit directs information
1d ago · via thebrighterside.news
Ethereum targets quantum-resistant L1 by 2029 The Ethereum Foundation has published ratings for 62 Hegotá proposals after collecting 397 assessments from about 60 protocol specialists across nine teams. - 62 Ethereum Improvement Proposals received ratings ahead of the planned Hegotá network upgrade. - 397 assessments came from researchers, engineers, and specialists across nine Protocol Cluster teams. - Ethereum’s Protocol Cluster wants the Layer 1 network to resist quantum attacks by December 2029. - A Reddit AMA on Sept. 16 will cover the ratings and Ethereum’s protocol priorities. The Ethereum Foundation said in a Sept. 7 post on X that its Protocol Cluster had released two articles covering Hegotá and the long-term work planned for Ethereum’s base layer. Ethereum ranks 62 Hegotá proposals One article, called the Hegotá EIP Opinion Post and Tier List, evaluates all 62 Ethereum Improvement Proposals under consideration for the upgrade. According to the Foundation, it is the Protocol Cluster’s first shared tier list covering a single network upgrade. Around 60 researchers, engineers, and specialists from nine teams submitted 397 individual ratings. Participants also held live discussions about proposals that produced differing opinions, allowing teams to compare technical benefits, development costs and possible conflicts before Hegotá’s scope is settled. Ratings do not mean that all 62 proposals will reach Ethereum’s mainnet. The list records how members of the Protocol Cluster view each proposal while client developers, researchers and the Ethereum community continue assessing which changes can be built and tested within Hegotá’s development schedule. In August, crypto.news reported on Hegotá as developers considered proposals related to censorship resistance, native account abstraction, privacy, validator economics, and gas pricing. At the time, the official meta EIP listed EIP-7805, known as Fork Choice-enforced Inclusion Lists, as the only feature scheduled for inclusion. FOCIL would allow a committee of validators to
1d ago · via crypto.news
Quantum computing and artificial intelligence are forcing technologists and businesses to fundamentally reimagine the role of computers in business. At IBM Research, one scientist wants them to think even bigger than that. In a series of lectures this summer, IBM Fellow Kush Varshney urged his fellow scientists to use this inflection point to rethink the very technical foundations of computing, incorporating mythology, symbolic mathematics, media studies and much more. To Varshney, these disciplines are inspiration for completely new, as-yet-unimagined forms of computer logic. Touching on everything from the works of information theorist Claude Shannon to the sacred Vedic texts of India to Joan Baez playing at Sing Sing, Varshney’s talks have already inspired his fellow IBM researchers to undertake a number of experiments, such as building an interactive illustration of a sign language for quantum computing and applying category theory to the construction of quantum circuits. Varshney spoke with IBM Think about what a computer can be, and how unexpected influences can power new innovations. An edited and condensed version of the conversation follows. I’m trying to look from different angles at what it means to think, what it means to create meaning with language and how there are many different languages and ways of communicating that lead to different constraints. Even though we have this new technology with LLMs, it’s similar to many things that humanity has dealt with in the past. We shouldn’t forget to stand on the shoulders of giants. Get curated insights on the most important—and intriguing—AI news. Subscribe to our weekly Think newsletter. See the IBM Privacy Statement. Researchers have been bringing up new things in our Slack channel or via email and saying it could be relevant for our work. At IBM, we need to do differentiated work. We can’t be doing AI or
1d ago · via ibm.com
Michał Szczepanik, Ákos Nagy, and Emil Zak have detailed a new quantum algorithm for simulating the motion of molecules, published in Quantum Science and Technology. The method encodes rovibrational Hamiltonians, describing molecular motion, as a quantum circuit utilizing a Walsh-Hadamard quantum read-only memory construction. This approach combines exact kinetic energy operators with general potential energy surfaces, achieving exponential reductions in logical qubit count and gate complexity compared to existing techniques. Researchers report the quantum volume needed to simulate water’s rovibrational spectrum could be reduced by up to 10^5 times using this method. Walsh-Hadamard QROM Simulates High-Accuracy Nuclear Motion Researchers detailed the method in Quantum Science and Technology, outlining a technique that integrates exact curvilinear kinetic energy operators with general-form potential energy surfaces. This combination, expressed in a hybrid finite-basis/discrete-variable representation, allows for high-accuracy quantum phase estimation of molecular energy levels and dynamics simulations. Central to the approach is a quantum read-only memory construction based on the Walsh-Hadamard transform, encoding the Hamiltonian as a unitary quantum circuit. This encoding provides asymptotic reductions in both logical qubit count and T-gate complexity, improvements that are exponential in the number of atoms and at least polynomial in the total Hilbert-space size when contrasted with existing block-encoding techniques. and Ákos Nagy and Emil Zak of BEIT Canada Inc., demonstrated that the method offers exponential memory savings and polynomial reductions in time complexity compared with classical variational methods. For a classically intractable 12-atom molecular system, the algorithm achieves at least a 106× reduction in the quantum volume required, utilizing fewer than 300 logical qubits. The authors state that the Hamiltonian is encoded as a unitary quantum circuit, detailing how the Walsh-Hadamard QROM facilitates these gains in efficiency. These results suggest a pathway toward simulating increasingly complex molecular systems with greater accuracy on fault-tolerant quantum computers, potentially
1d ago · via quantumzeitgeist.com
EU Quantum Act policy expected by the end of this year. European policymakers, business personalities and investors gathered at the European Parliament last week for a high-level discussion about the next phase of the bloc’s quantum development. The panel touched on areas surrounding the development and sustenance of quantum technology in the bloc, with speakers noting that the region needs to translate its scientific expertise in the sector into industrial leadership that can be deployed across the single market. The event, called ‘Europe’s Quantum Moment: From Lab to Leadership’, was hosted by EU MEP Dr Sergey Lagodinsky, who, in agreement with other speakers, said that the bloc needs to understand how scale up and bring together scientists, engineers and start-ups to transform opportunities in the quantum sector into commercial capacity comparable to the US, which is already investing hundreds of millions in this type of technology. Between 2020 and 2025, the EU invested some €2bn in quantum technologies, complemented by around €9bn in additional funding from member states. In comparison, the US spent $2bn in federal incentives a few months ago to support two domestic quantum foundry companies and seven quantum computing companies, including IBM. The speakers at last week’s panel noted that Europe already has a strong base to build on, with research groups and companies active across areas including quantum computing, sensing, photonics, cryogenics and software. The bloc also has an established footing in this sector, with around 80pc of the components in quantum computers in Europe come from the bloc, a speaker said. The EU has a number of up and coming quantum businesses, including Ireland’s Equal1, which raised $60m in January, Switzerland-based Zuriq, which raised a seed funding round of $25.5m in July, and Finland’s IQM Quantum Computers, which, earlier this year, became the first European
1d ago · via siliconrepublic.com
NEC halted development of physical quantum computers at the end of March 2026. This was reported by Nikkei and Diamond Online in quick succession in September 2026 â it was not an announcement made by NEC itself. The company holds a unique place in this field: in 1999, Yasunobu Nakamura and colleagues at NEC's Fundamental Research Laboratories reported in Nature the first operational demonstration of a superconducting qubit in a solid-state device, laying the groundwork for what is now the dominant approach worldwide. The two news outlets attribute the decision, 27 years later, to the difficulty of recovering investment and to researchers leaving the company. But NEC itself, in a document submitted to a Cabinet Office meeting in December 2022, laid out in concrete numbers just how far it intended to go. Laid alongside what it actually achieved, the outline of this withdrawal becomes sharper than the summary in the news reports suggests. The end-of-March halt revealed by reporting, and the only explanation NEC has offered On September 5, 2026, Nikkei reported that NEC had halted development of physical quantum computers, and that the decision appeared to reflect a judgment that commercialization would take too long and that returns commensurate with the investment would be hard to achieve. This rationale is Nikkei's own inference, not something NEC stated itself. The day before, on September 4, Diamond Online reported â as an exclusive â both the end-of-March withdrawal and the fact that researchers who had worked on the development had moved to Fujitsu. When Diamond's editorial team asked NEC's public relations department to comment, the company declined to address the withdrawal directly â "we will refrain from commenting" â but added: "Regarding the use of quantum computers, we are advancing technical assessment toward practical application as well as efforts toward industrialization.
1d ago · via xenospectrum.com
The EU’s forthcoming Quantum Act will not come with a dedicated budget. “The act is not about budget,” said Thomas Skordas, deputy director-general of the European Commission’s DG CNECT, at a European Parliament event last week, on 3rd of September. “What the act will provide is the stimulus to make sure that we move in the right direction, that we bring people together.” The session, hosted by the European Quantum Flagship and German Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky, brought together representatives from the Commission, Council and Parliament, along with researchers and quantum company founders. The Commission hopes to present the legislation by the end of 2026, although that timeline could slip into next year. The ambition behind it is significant. The EU has declared its aim to become the world’s quantum valley, and the act is intended to help make that happen. Skordas described the act as an enabling framework rather than a regulation. That distinction matters in Brussels, where recent technology policies such as the AI Act and the Digital Markets Act have largely focused on imposing rules and obligations rather than bringing different parts of an industry together. The clearest comment of the day concerned Europe’s quantum startups. “We cannot afford having 78 startups all on their own,” Skordas said. “We don’t have Microsoft, we don’t have Google, we don’t have IBM. We want competition, but at some stage, we expect a little bit of consolidation.” It is unusual for a Commission official to openly call for consolidation in an industry. But the comment also reflects a problem that has become increasingly difficult for Europe to ignore: its quantum efforts are spread across member states and different technology approaches, producing plenty of prototypes but fewer companies with the scale to build their own manufacturing capacity. Tommaso Calarco, secretary of
1d ago · via thenextweb.com
Zcash price surges past $1,200, market cap hits $20B amid strong institutional demand and ETF launch.
Zcash (ZEC) surged to an intraday high of $1,249, its highest since late 2016, marking a weekly gain of over 45% and lifting its market cap to $20.44 billion, making it the ninth-largest crypto asset. The rally is driven by institutional interest, in...
1d ago · via pluang.com
Building quantum computers from the qubit up At Nord Quantique, we’re building fault-tolerant quantum computers from the qubit up with the goal of making quantum computing practical at scale. We’re a Canadian company based in Sherbrooke, Québec, where we develop superconducting quantum computers that integrate quantum error correction directly into the hardware. Rather than accept that useful quantum computers will require millions of physical qubits, we’ve taken a different path by designing qubits that are intrinsically more resilient to errors through bosonic encoding. It fundamentally changes the economics and engineering of quantum computing by reducing the hardware overhead needed to build useful systems. We embed error correction directly into the hardware via superconducting bosonic codes to achieve a 1:1 logical-to-physical qubit ratio. The company recently advanced to Stage B of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative and reached unicorn status with a $1.4B valuation in our latest funding round. Reliable computations The biggest challenge in quantum computing isn’t creating qubits—it's performing reliable computations with them. Quantum information is extraordinarily fragile: Every operation, measurement, or interaction with the environment introduces errors that quickly accumulate. Quantum error correction is essential, because it allows errors to be detected and corrected while computations are running. Most approaches achieve this by encoding a single logical qubit across many physical qubits so that individual errors can be identified and corrected. While effective in principle, this strategy comes at a significant cost: It requires vast hardware resources and substantially increases the number of operations needed to perform a logical computation, slowing the effective clock speed of the processor. This combination of hardware overhead and reduced computational throughput is one of the biggest obstacles to building practical, large-scale quantum computers. Bosonic qubits Our approach starts with a different kind of quantum hardware. Instead of engineering devices that behave as simple
1d ago · via laserfocusworld.com