Alice & Bob Quantum Computing Grant for New Magnets

Alice & Bob, a French-American quantum computing firm, has secured a significant grant of €3.4 million (approximately $3.9 million) from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). This funding is earmarked for a groundbreaking initiative to leverage quantum computing for the discovery of novel permanent magnets that do not rely on rare-earth elements.

The project, part of ARPA-E's Quantum Computing for Computational Chemistry (QC 3) program, aims to address a critical bottleneck in the clean energy transition. Current high-performance magnets, such as neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB), depend on rare-earth materials whose supply chains are subject to geopolitical risks and environmental concerns. Developing effective alternatives is paramount for scaling up technologies like electric vehicle motors and wind turbines.

Alice & Bob, known for its innovative 'cat qubit' architecture which promises enhanced hardware efficiency and error suppression, will lead this three-year effort. The company's approach is designed to overcome the immense computational challenges classical computers face when simulating the complex quantum interactions governing magnetic material properties. By utilizing quantum computers, which naturally model quantum phenomena, researchers anticipate a dramatic acceleration in material discovery.

The collaboration includes key partners such as Los Alamos National Laboratory, which will contribute expertise in tensor network tools for optimizing quantum circuits, and GE Vernova’s Advanced Research accelerator, tasked with conducting a technoeconomic analysis of the potential material discoveries. Professor Emanuel Gull from the University of Michigan and Warsaw University will also contribute by developing classical algorithms to complement the quantum computations.

A central objective of the project is to achieve a computational speed-up of up to 10,000 times compared to current classical simulation methods. This would enable the realistic calculation of material properties within a single day, a feat currently unattainable. Alice & Bob plans to demonstrate this speed-up both experimentally on their quantum hardware and theoretically through resource estimations.

The development of rare-earth-free magnets is a key focus area within the broader materials science sector, which is experiencing increased investment due to its foundational role in numerous advanced technologies. The global market for permanent magnets is substantial, and the transition to more sustainable alternatives could unlock significant new value and reduce reliance on volatile commodity markets.

This grant underscores the growing recognition of quantum computing's potential to solve complex scientific and industrial problems. Beyond magnets, the algorithms developed through this project could be adapted for a wide range of applications in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and other fields requiring sophisticated material simulations.