Hands-on quantum learning coming to schools with new EPFL project

Image: EPFL · actu.epfl.ch Students at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) are launching “Schiiq,” a project to build affordable, open-source quantum computers for use, beginning in fall 2026. The initiative, a collaboration with Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz and the QSE Center, directly addresses the limited access to quantum computing hardware, focusing on hands-on experience with core principles like superposition and qubit control. “Quantum computing still only remains accessible to the most well-funded research labs and institutions,” explains Andrés Quesnel González, QSE master’s student and president of the Schiiq team, “There are smart people all around the world, but they don’t have the access they need.” The tabletop devices will utilize Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technology, prioritizing accessibility over scalability. EPFL Students Launch Schiiq for Accessible Quantum Education Fall 2026 marks the target launch for Schiiq, an initiative designed to place hands-on quantum computing devices directly into educational settings. The project, spearheaded by students in EPFL’s Master’s in Quantum Science and Engineering, will utilize Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology to build affordable tabletop quantum computers, aiming to circumvent the high costs currently limiting access to the field. This focus on practical experience distinguishes Schiiq, as students will directly engage with core quantum principles, superposition, measurement, qubit control, entanglement, and noise modelling, rather than solely learning theoretical concepts. Collaboration is central to Schiiq’s approach, extending beyond EPFL to include Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW) and the QSE Center. This multi-institutional effort reflects a broader recognition of the need to democratize quantum education, a sentiment echoed by Philippe Caroff, Executive Director of the QSE Center at EPFL, who co-developed the initial concept alongside Vincenzo Savona and Clément Javerzac. EPFL’s existing partnership with the Open Quantum Institute (OQI) at CERN further strengthens this commitment, providing a framework for expanding access and developing educational tools. “The need to provide broader access to quantum computing, particularly for students and researchers, is widely recognized internationally and lies at the heart of the OQI’s mission,” Caroff stated. The open-source nature of Schiiq is a deliberate design choice, intended to foster a collaborative and iterative development process. This approach allows for continuous refinement and adaptation, ensuring the devices remain relevant and accessible as the field evolves. González emphasizes the current disparity in access, stating that EPFL’s SCITAS scientific computing unit, established through partnerships with Quantinuum and IBM Quantum, provides a precedent for this commitment to broadened access, having already delivered cloud access to quantum computers to EPFL researchers. Beyond technical skills, the Schiiq project aims to cultivate a complete understanding of quantum computing, encompassing project management, sustainability, and accessibility considerations.

The team intends to draw students from diverse disciplines, physics, engineering, and software, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. “We aim to bring together students from physics, engineering, and software across multiple EPFL sections as well as with our partners at FHNW,” González said. This integrated approach, coupled with the project’s focus on affordability and open-source design, positions Schiiq as a potentially transformative force in quantum education, enabling a wider range of students to engage with this rapidly evolving field. “By developing an affordable tabletop quantum computing device based on NMR technology and making the design fully open source, we can help lower barriers to entry and give more people around the world the opportunity to learn about and experiment with quantum computing,” González concludes. Quantum computing still only remains accessible to the most well-funded research labs and institutions. Andrés Quesnel González, QSE master’s student and president of the Schiiq MAKE team Open-Source Design Enables Global Quantum Learning Community The collaborative design of the Schiiq project extends beyond simply lowering financial barriers; it actively fosters a network for iterative improvement, with components intended for continual reuse, adaptation, and enhancement. This approach creates a virtuous cycle where modifications and upgrades are rapidly disseminated throughout the learning community. These existing connections allow for the sharing of expertise and resources, accelerating the development and refinement of the open-source hardware. This experiential learning is especially important given the current disparity in access, as highlighted by Eleonora Giuliani, the hardware lead, who notes that “Most people don’t have access to these technologies for educational purposes, especially in lower-income countries, but also even high schoolers and the general public here in Switzerland.” The team’s ambition is to create a transportable, table-top device that can be deployed in diverse educational settings worldwide. The selection of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology as the foundation for these devices is deliberate, offering a relatively accessible and cost-effective pathway to quantum experimentation. Utilizing the spins of nuclei at room temperature as qubits and radio frequency pulses for control, NMR sidesteps the need for complex and expensive cryogenic systems required by many other quantum computing platforms. “It’s exciting to see them explore how we can make many aspects of quantum computing more accessible from the very beginning,” says a supporter of the project. Crucially, Schiiq is 100% open source, so anyone can modify the hardware to suit their own needs and share their improvements with the community. Andrés Quesnel González, QSE master’s student and president of the Schiiq MAKE team Source: https://actu.epfl.ch/news/new-make-project-aims-to-make-quantum-computing-mo More like thisDeep TechBristol and NQCC launch intensive quantum computing coursesQuantum Research NewsQuantum leaps in Canadian facilities enable nanoscale device buildingQuantum SensorsLitavis sensor unifies imaging, timing, and photon stats on one chipTechnology NewsVLC Photonics moves PIC testing to a new, larger facility in SpainStay currentSee today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals. Tags: