Intel puts $50 million in TU Delft quantum computer project

American chip manufacturer Intel has entered into a 10 year collaboration with TU Delft and TNO and has invested 50 million dollars into TU Delft's quantum computer institute QuTech, the university announced on Thursday. Intel will also contribute facilities, expertise and manpower to the project. "QuTech is delighted to welcome Intel as their new partner." said QuTech lead scientist Lieven Vandersypen. "This partnership will enable us to combine our scientific expertise with the best engineering expertise in the computer industry." QuTech focuses on the development of quantum technology, such as quantum computers. Where normal compputers work with bits, quantum computers work with special quantum bits called qubits. "By drawing on the special quality of quantum bits to be not only 1 and 0, but 1 and 0 simultaneously, a quantum computer is able to solve certain mathematical problems much faster", according to fellow lead scientist Leo Dicarlo. This enables a quantum computer to calculate the properties of promising new materials, which is impossible for standard super computers. "This significantly improves our chances of discovering special new materials." Vandersypen adds. "Consider, for example, superconductors that do not require extreme cooling and as such, can transport electricity without loss of energy." Intel will contribute with low-temperature electronics needed to "connect, control and measure multiple qubits", said Mike Mayberry, vice president of Intel and managing director of Intel Labs. "Our collaboration will explore quantum computing breakthroughs that could influence the industry overall.