I-Corps: Translation potential of quantum inspired computing

This I-Corps project is based on the development of quantum inspired computers to increase speed and quality optimization. Optimization drives logistics, transport, computer-aided design, drug discovery, and finance, but the slow speed of current optimization tools forces users to settle for non-optimal solutions. Even a small increase in optimization quality is very time consuming resulting in wasted fuel, idle assets, longer design cycles, and missed opportunities. This technology uses classical physics and electronics to replicate some capabilities of quantum computers. This may result in lower costs, size, and energy consumption and also may reduce loss and waste. In addition, this computer hardware may be used to assist pure quantum systems to make them more efficient. This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of quantum inspired computing. Quantum computers excel at solving combinatorial problems, but they suffer from critical limitations, some of which may take decades to overcome including their size, energy consumption, and cost. Also, superconducting qubits must be cooled to near absolute zero. In addition, quantum computers are susceptible to noise and decohere within tens of microseconds, reducing their accuracy and throughput. This Quantum-inspired computers technology is designed to deliver the critical capabilities of quantum solvers at orders-of-magnitude lower cost, size, weight, and energy consumption by using classical physics and electronics to provide some of the capabilities of qubits. The optimization problem is encoded into the energy landscape of a physical circuit. Networks of coupled oscillator circuits then evolve in hardware toward low-energy states corresponding to high-quality solutions. This may achieve the benefits associated with quantum annealing without cryogenics, exotic fabrication, high power consumption, or the maturity challenges of quantum hardware. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.