Stevens Secures U.S Army Contract for Up to $15 Million to Revolutionize Quantum Technology
The contract aims to bridge the gap between laboratory demonstrations and field deployable systems.
Hoboken, N.J., Feb. 20, 2024 — Stevens Institute of Technology has secured a five year contract with a $15 million ceiling aimed at revolutionizing the applications of quantum technologies in practical, real-world scenarios. The project, funded by the U.S. Army, focuses on bridging the gap between laboratory demonstrations and field deployable systems.
Traditionally, demonstrations of quantum advantages have been confined to laboratory settings, creating a significant disparity between theoretical advancements and practical applications in the field. In this project, Stevens will bridge this gap, by researching, studying and developing materials, devices and technologies that can seamlessly integrate quantum capabilities into everyday devices.
At the heart of this project, led by Yuping Huang, professor of physics, lies the development of a cutting-edge computing platform for quantum information processing and artificial intelligence (AI). Unlike conventional AI systems relying on graphics processing units, Stevens is pioneering the use of hybrid photonics and microelectronics neural networks. By harnessing nanophononics and quantum optics circuits, Stevens aims to significantly reduce power consumption and eliminate the heat generated during AI computations. This innovative approach not only enhances efficiency but also paves the way for practical applications of AI in diverse fields.
A key objective of the project is to quantify and assess the true advantage of the hybrid neural network realization, which brings together expertise from six different disciplines: physics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and mathematics. This interdisciplinary collaboration, facilitated within Stevens’ Center for Quantum Science and Engineering, exemplifies the university’s commitment to advancing quantum research in areas of sensing, communications, computing, AI and materials through collective expertise and diverse perspectives.
Huang, who is also the director of the Quantum Center, emphasized the importance of transitioning from devices that work in the laboratory to more practical tools that can be used in the field. "In my lab, we have impressive optical tables, but the reality is that nobody will use technology in laboratory setups,” he said. “We need to host these technologies outside of the lab, which requires expertise beyond physics. This is why we established the Quantum Center, bringing together experts from various fields to solve complex problems."
Huang’s team aims to develop advanced quantum technologies and integrate them with modern AI methods for defense systems. The emphasis is on innovation and the demonstration of practical technologies with superior size, weight and power (SWAP) parameters. By harnessing compatible quantum and integrated photonics techniques, the project aims to create SWAP-friendly devices and systems that operate at room temperature, ensuring superior compactness and portability. These advancements would provide a clear path to scalable production and deployment, leading to revolutionary impacts in various sectors.
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About Stevens Institute of Technology
Stevens Institute of Technology is a premier, private research university in Hoboken, New Jersey, overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Since our founding in 1870, technological innovation and entrepreneurship have been the hallmark of Stevens’ education and research. Within the university’s schools, Stevens prepares its more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students for an increasingly complex and technology-centric world. Our exceptional students collaborate closely with world-class faculty in an interdisciplinary, student-centric, entrepreneurial environment, readying them to fuel the innovation economy. Academic and research programs spanning finance, computing, engineering and the arts expand the frontiers of science and leverage technology to confront the most challenging problems of our time. Stevens is consistently ranked among the nation’s leaders in ROI and career services and is in the top 1% nationally of colleges with the highest-paid graduates.
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