The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) has begun. It celebrates 100 years since the start of the first quantum revolution, where we used our new understanding of quantum mechanics to invent many revolutionary technologies, such as transistors and lasers.
The U.N. hopes that the ‘Year of Quantum’ will develop global awareness of the potential impact of the second quantum revolution. This might bring us extremely accurate sensors, fundamentally secure communication or quantum computers.
The International Year of Quantum Science & Technology (IYQ) raises public awareness of the importance and impact of quantum science and applications on all aspects of life.
During the first quantum revolution many inventions resulted in new, truly revolutionary products. Take the phenomenon of superconductivity for example, which allowed for the development of exceptionally strong magnets. These magnets are used in MRI machines, allowing for medical diagnostics. Two of the most impactful inventions of the first quantum revolution are transistors and lasers. They turned out to be building blocks for the most defining technologies of the 20th and 21st century, such as computers and telecom networks.
Now the foundation is being laid for a second quantum revolution. We don’t just understand quantum mechanics, but we can engineer systems that exploit the quantum mechanical principles of superposition and entanglement. The quantum community and industry explores three paths for new technologies, namely quantum sensing (extremely accurate sensors), quantum communication (fundamentally secure networks) and quantum computing (solving problems out of reach of classical supercomputers).
To ensure that this second quantum revolution is addressing current and future challenges of sustainable economics, participation, and societal welfare, the U.N. chose to raise awareness of this technology. In June 2024, the United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). The resolution was submitted by Ghana and co-sponsored by over 70 countries, representing over 5 billion people. The IYQ celebrates 100 years since the first formulation of quantum theory. The initiative aims to raise public awareness of the importance and impact of quantum science and applications on all aspects of our lives. They specifically highlight six goals that quantum technologies could contribute to.
Among the founding partners of the IYQ are scientific societies like APS, SPIE and DPG. They have stimulated the conversation among scientists and with industry through publications and conferences. For the IYQ, they’re organizing special editions of their events.
If you want to follow the progress on testing utility-scale quantum computing chips, don’t miss these two quantum conferences in 2025.
APS March and April Meeting (Anaheim, 16 – 21 March 2025)
- This edition of the Global Physics Summit combines the APS March and April meetings into one event.
- On 19 March at 3:48 pm, OrangeQS will present on “Seamless integration of cryo-system control with automated diagnostics for end-of-line testing of hecto-scale superconducting quantum processors”.
SQA Delft (Delft, 25 – 29 August 2025)
- This edition of the Superconducting Qubits and Algorithms Conference will take place in Delft, with a rich history on research in quantum transport and a bustling quantum startup scene.
- On 29 August, OrangeQS hosts an exceptional session on “Quantum Chip Testing”, bringing together leaders on testing utility-scale quantum chips with solid state qubits.
