Qolab Launches John Martinis Prize to Support Superconducting Qubit Research
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Qolab has launched the John Martinis Prize for Experimental Superconducting Qubit Physics, a new program intended to bolster research and education in the rapidly developing field of superconducting quantum hardware. Supported by Qolab, the Israeli Quantum Computing Center (IQCC), and Quantum Machines, the initiative will award research and education grants alongside access to Qolab quantum processors and the Quantum Machines orchestration stack. Named for Qolab co-founder and 2025 Nobel laureate John M. Martinis, the prize seeks to cultivate a new generation equipped to build practical quantum computers. “Scaling quantum computers from research prototypes to useful systems requires a new generation of experimentalists who understand both the physics and the engineering of superconducting devices,” said Martinis, Qolab’s CTO and co-founder. Grant recipients will receive financial support, processor time at the IQCC, and opportunities for collaboration with leading researchers; applications open on March 16 and winners will be announced at the Adaptive Quantum Circuits conference later this year. The prize honors Qolab co-founder and CTO John M. Martinis, the 2025 Nobel laureate recognized for his work on macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation. Research awardees will receive time on Qolab’s latest processors, a research stipend, and a pass to the Adaptive Quantum Circuits conference, enabling advanced experimentation and device characterization. Qolab & NQFF Advance Cryogenic Filter Technology Efforts to scale superconducting quantum computers currently face significant hurdles related to noise and signal fidelity within cryogenic environments; maintaining qubit coherence requires extremely precise control and minimization of interference, a challenge that increases as systems grow in complexity. Qolab is addressing this issue through a collaborative effort with Singapore’s National Quantum Federated Foundry (NQFF) focused on developing advanced cryogenic low-pass filters, essential components for suppressing unwanted microwave noise that degrades qubit performance. These filters represent a critical limitation, restricting the potential size and reliability of future quantum processors. The partnership leverages NQFF’s established semiconductor manufacturing capabilities alongside Qolab’s specialized knowledge of superconducting qubit systems, aiming to create wafer-scale filters directly integrable with quantum processor circuits. This approach promises denser integration and improved overall system reliability, improving current quantum computer architecture. According to Qolab, these components are vital for building larger, more stable quantum systems. This collaboration focuses not only on hardware development but also on streamlining the manufacturing process. The company stated, “By developing wafer-scale cryogenic filters that can be integrated directly with quantum processor circuits, the partnership aims to enable denser integration and improved reliability in future quantum computers.” Qolab is simultaneously investing in workforce development with initiatives like the Quantum Educational Fabrication Program, bringing hands-on quantum hardware engineering to university classrooms and addressing the growing demand for skilled engineers capable of bridging quantum science and semiconductor manufacturing, as CEO Alan Ho explained: “As the field moves from laboratory demonstrations to manufacturable systems, there is enormous demand for engineers and physicists who can bridge quantum science and semiconductor manufacturing.” The IQCC is the only cloud access center providing experimentalists with full pulse-level control of superconducting qubits via Quantum Machines’ OPX+. Nir Alfasi, General Manager, IQCC Qolab Fab Program Expands Quantum Hardware Education Qolab is actively addressing a critical gap in quantum workforce development with its Quantum Educational Fabrication Program, or Qolab Fab, an initiative highlighted at the American Physical Society (APS) Global Physics Summit in Denver. Recognizing that translating quantum research into practical systems demands a skilled engineering base, the program aims to integrate hands-on hardware experience directly into university curricula. Students participating in Qolab Fab will utilize professional electronic design tools to create superconducting microwave resonators, which Qolab will then fabricate and rigorously test at extremely low temperatures using its established infrastructure. This approach moves beyond theoretical learning by providing students with access to real-world measurement data from their own designs, offering crucial insight into the materials science and engineering challenges inherent in building functional qubits. The program, slated for pilot deployments beginning in summer 2026, is specifically designed to broaden access to quantum hardware education for undergraduate and master’s programs lacking the resources for specialized fabrication and cryogenic facilities. Scaling quantum computers from research prototypes to useful systems requires a new generation of experimentalists who understand both the physics and the engineering of superconducting devices. John M. Martinis, CTO and co-founder, Qolab Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/16/3256415/0/en/Qolab-Announces-John-Martinis-Prize-as-Momentum-Builds-for-Scalable-Quantum-Hardware.html Tags: