State, university officials tout opening of new quantum research center - Maryland Matters

5:01 News Story 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. The lab is the latest step in the state’s Capital of Quantum initiative, launched in January 2025 to accelerate investments in quantum computing research through a public-private partnership between the state, the university and the private sector. “Maryland’s moving fast.

The Discovery District is moving fast, and companies in this space are starting to take note,” Gov. Wes Moore (D) said in remarks at the ribbon-cutting. “When we invest in quantum, we’re creating new opportunity for the student who has the skills to build a career in the space.” Since last year’s announcement that Microsoft would locate its quantum lab in the Discovery District, an area just east of the College Park campus, Moore said IQM, Quantum Motion and Riverlane – three leading quantum companies – have also established or announced facilities there. 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. “There’s a lot of talent here, and in the world… there’s not that much quantum talent,” Tahan said in an interview. “You want to be in the places where you can hire the best people.” The Microsoft Quantum Research center houses “chandeliers” that perform quantum computations. (Photo by Pera Onal/Maryland Matters) He said he’s appreciative of the state’s partnership with the lab and is impressed by the speed at which the facility was built. The lab was announced at last September’s Quantum World Congress with the project being greenlit a day before the event, Tahan said. The facility’s design was completed in April, and on-site construction followed soon after. Matthew Brooks, a senior quantum hardware engineer at Microsoft, said in an interview that quantum computing allows researchers to dig deeper with their experiments, which can involve chemical simulations such as developing new fertilizers or pharmaceuticals. Quantum computation gives researchers an avenue to explore computational problems that might take too long or be inaccurate if done otherwise. “Quantum computers are rooted in nature … so we can use that to build simulations of nature at that nanoscopic level,” he said. “You can kind of build up these sort of fundamental building block simulations in a much more natural way than what you’re doing with a classical computer.” Event attendees also got a first look at one of the “chandelier” quantum systems that holds qubits, or quantum bits that represent the smallest unit of data, and performs computation through pulse connections. Each chandelier is masked with multiple layers of cooling cylinders that cool the system down to -273 degrees Celsius, or nearly -460 Fahrenheit, according to principal quantum hardware theorist Edward Chen. Tahan said Microsoft leaders are hoping the space is operational and ready for hands-on student work by the spring. Quantum computers and refrigerators used to cool the systems will be put together in the meantime. In the last year, Maryland has also helped establish a $65 million Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security headquarters at the university. 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. University of Maryland President Darryll Pines said state officials were crucial in creating a productive environment where the state’s talents could thrive and produce these opportunities. “This building you are in today is a realization of a dream, a vision, a promise that was made last year,” Pines said during his opening speech. “This is a signature moment for the state.” Moore said that focusing on quantum efforts is one way the state believes it can boost economic growth and provide job and learning opportunities. In addition to university and Microsoft officials attending Tuesday’s opening, Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-4th), State House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel), Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel) and Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D) were on hand. A press release from the governor’s office said the state and university have secured more than $500 million in “pledged investments” since the launch of the Capital of Quantum initiative, which has a goal of $1 billion in investments. Moore on Tuesday emphasized the new pool of opportunities and economic growth that he believes will stem from prioritizing quantum initiatives in Maryland. “We want research to advance right here … we want Marylanders to be able to build careers and businesses because of what happens here,” Moore said. “The best place in the world to change the world … right here.