ORNL’s Oak Ridge lab hosted 184 at quantum computing user forum

One hundred and eighty-four researchers, developers, and technology leaders convened at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in July for the seventh annual Quantum Computing User Forum. The event highlighted the expanding role of quantum computing in scientific research, with attendees sharing discoveries enabled by the Quantum Computing User Program, which provides cloud-based access to quantum systems globally. “This year’s Quantum Computing User Forum was the most attended yet,” said Claire Marvinney, an ORNL research scientist who co-organized the event. Josh Cunningham, chief operating officer of the DOE’s Quantum Science Center, noted the forum’s growth reflects QCUP’s expansion. QCUP Program Enables Broad Scientific Research Access The Quantum Computing User Program (QCUP) is removing barriers to entry in quantum research by providing cloud-based access to powerful systems. This strategy allows scientists worldwide to explore quantum applications without needing to physically possess expensive hardware. QCUP is a component of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Quantum User Expansion for Science and Technology initiative, designed to broaden participation in quantum computing for scientific purposes. Researchers showcased discoveries enabled by QCUP’s resources, highlighting how the program facilitates hybrid quantum-high-performance computing (QHPC) workflows. These workflows combine the strengths of both technologies and are crucial for building the foundation of scientific computing. Participants directly engaged with companies developing quantum technologies, Quantinuum, IonQ, IBM, and IQM, through hands-on workshops and technical sessions. The collaborative spirit of the forum extended beyond technical discussions. Ashley Barker, OLCF program director, emphasized the program’s impact on community building, stating, “Bringing together users, facilities and organizations investing in quantum technologies gives us an opportunity to learn from one another, build partnerships and leverage our collective expertise and resources.” She continued, “We want people to leave with new insights and new connections—and a stronger community working together to advance the future of quantum science.” Researchers also presented work utilizing on-site quantum systems at ORNL, including the six-qubit Quantum Brilliance Quoll and the 20-qubit IQM Pathfinder quantum computer. Our presentations covered topics from quantum error correction primitives and hyrbid HPC-QC, as well as subject areas with applications in astrophysics, finance, quantum chemistry, and optimization algorithms. Claire Marvinney, an ORNL research scientist who co-organized the event with Josh Cunningham, chief operatin Hands-on Workshops Showcase Quantinuum, IonQ, and IBM Technologies Participants at the Quantum Computing User Forum (QCUF) directly engaged with developers from Quantinuum, IonQ, IBM and IQM during a series of hands-on workshops designed to accelerate the practical application of emerging quantum technologies. These sessions followed keynote presentations from each company, offering a focused opportunity to explore the capabilities of leading quantum computing systems beyond theoretical discussion. Technical content spanned quantum hardware specifics, advanced job execution techniques, and algorithm development for diverse fields including astrophysics and finance. The workshops included investigation of hybrid high-performance computing (HPC)-quantum workflows, a crucial area for scaling quantum solutions to tackle complex scientific problems. The forum isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s about building a community. Ashley Barker, OLCF program director Poster Session Highlights Quantum Algorithms and Simulations Esam El-Araby, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Kansas, presented research during the Quantum Computing User Forum (QCUF) that earned recognition during the event’s poster session. His work, “Quantum Singular Value Decomposition and Transform for Solving Multidimensional Partial Differential Equations in Computational Fluid Dynamics and Nuclear Physics,” was one of three posters selected for acknowledgement by attendees, demonstrating the breadth of application attracting researchers to the field. The interactive poster session provided a venue for scientists to share their latest work and forge new collaborations within the quantum community. Researchers from Lamar University, Faisal Ahmed Chowdhury and Farah Ferdaus, also received recognition for their poster, which explored improvements to quantum teleportation protocols, a critical area for secure communication and distributed quantum computing. Complementing these efforts, a team from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Chao Lu, Murali Gopalakrishnan Meena and Kalyan Gottiparthi, presented “Qiskit-Kokkos: A Kokkos-Accelerated, Multi-Engine Quantum Circuit Simulator.” This simulator aims to accelerate quantum circuit simulations by leveraging the Kokkos performance portability layer, allowing it to run efficiently on diverse high-performance computing architectures. The forum’s emphasis on community building extended to these poster sessions, fostering an environment where researchers could directly exchange ideas and identify potential synergies. The selected posters represent a diverse range of applications, from fundamental quantum protocols to advanced simulations relevant to fields like nuclear physics and fluid dynamics, signaling a maturing field poised for continued innovation. This year’s Quantum Computing User Forum was the most packed yet. Claire Marvinney, an ORNL research scientist who co-organized the event with Josh Cunningham, chief operatin Source: https://www.olcf.ornl.gov/2026/08/19/quantum-computing-user-forum-highlights-advances-in-quantum-research/ Stay currentSee today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals. Tags: