Potential applications and the significance of ‘National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications’

Potential applications and the significance of ‘National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications’

Quantum technology is the next big thing in the history of science and technology. It offers a number of advantages over conventional technologies which would have revolutionary impacts on various fields, including artificial intelligence, metrology, and others. The Indian government is funding a National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications. The mission’s aim is to focus on quantum communications, quantum imaging, quantum sensing, and computation, and other skills geared to developing applications of quantum technology. These applications are expected to reduce the cost, size, and energy usage of electronic devices. 

Potential applications of quantum technology:

Industrial revolution 4.0: The exploding growth of the Internet-of-Things, machine learning, robotics, and artificial intelligence is launching us towards a new industrial revolution 4.0. This digital revolution will be built on an internet that is evolved by quantum computing and no amount of hype can hide that quantum computing is a key enabler of this upcoming revolution.

Financial Portfolio Optimisation: Using the previously developed quantum computer as a portfolio optimizer illustrates the main advantages of quantum technology within the financial sector. The ability to choose from a large number of stocks, bonds, and other investments gives rise to exponential search spaces. These large search spaces can be effectively navigated through the application of quantum computers such as D-Wave. This enables investors significantly more freedom in their decision-making process while maintaining adequate risk management procedures.

Logistics and Scheduling: In the field of logistics and scheduling, the role of the accuracy is crucial. It has become important for participants to be able to identify problems in existing operational models and propose solutions for them. Quantum computing can make logistics more efficient.

Pharmaceutical: It is believed that by using the power of quantum computing, it will be possible to produce new molecules and drugs like antibiotics that may fight against all resistant bacteria. So, the discovery of new drugs and their development until the day they are produced could be made quicker with the help of quantum technology. Quantum computing could reduce the time frame of the discovery of new molecules and related processes to a few days.

Cyber Security: Quantum computational power can be used to accelerate the existing data security tools which would make it much harder for an attacker to break into a victim’s system. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is one of the most promising tools to implement cryptographic measures to enhance the security of data.

Research: Quantum technology can also provide answers to some of today’s most complex scientific questions. For example, its ability to measure a very large number of parameters at the same time will be useful in studying the intricate processes that take place at the atomic level. It will be particularly significant for us because India has limited access to the kinds of advanced equipment that are available in advanced laboratories abroad.

Disaster Management: Quantum computers can help in a better risk analysis of earthquakes, tsunamis, and floods. The threat to human lives can be minimized due to the advanced technology. The threat to lives and property across the globe is in parts reduced by this technology due to efficient modeling. Reduction in loss of money is also brought about by efficient modeling.

Significance of National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NMQTA):

Accommodation: The call for a National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications (NMQTA) is just about to be applauded by every progressive Indian – needless to say, any proposal for promoting scientific research of the kind. That’s not surprising: AI, big data, digitization, 3D printing, and related technologies like IoT are having a tremendous impact that is likely to rewrite the global economic order. And India cannot be left behind on these technologies of tomorrow.

Security: The national mission on quantum technologies and applications (NMQTA) is being launched by the government of India in order to prepare the country for developing these emerging and disruptive technologies in order to secure our communications and financial transactions. The implementation units under NMQTA will produce quantum computing hardware, software, firmware, and applications.

Socio-economic development: NMQTA is envisaged to meet the long-term challenges of the Indian economy and society in a number of crucial areas such as Communication, Computer, Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, and Health. The mission contributes to strengthening the technological capabilities of various institutions both at the National and State levels for new applications in research and development that will foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Employment generation: NMQTA, will focus on harnessing the advancement of quantum science and technologies in order to meet global challenges in different aspects of life, including those which are crucial for our contemporary sustainable development. With a solid research base and workforce founded on significant and reliable government support, it can lead to the creation of innovative applications by industries, thereby stimulating economic growth and job creation, which will feed back into a growing quantum-based economy.

Technology requirements: The NMQTA Mission will be able to garner large-scale public participation and support, including encouraging a creative culture in the society. These are critical for development of any future technology architecture that India will adopt. This Mission will be outcome-oriented, technology-agnostic, time bound and well-coordinated with the existing Government programs.

Addressing specific issues: NMQTA, as a national mission on quantum technologies and applications, constitutes an endeavor focused on developing and promoting quantum computing & allied technologies in the country. NMQTA is projected to play a crucial role in addressing national as well as regional issues such as radioactive waste management, smart cities, agriculture development, water purification and drug discovery among others. The overarching objective of this mission is to address specific issues by exploiting quantum technologies through appropriate technology building blocks, leading to societal transformations by end-use applications that will significantly change the human experience and improve the quality of life.

Scientific skilled ecosystem: NMQTA aims to facilitate the development of a scientific skilled workforce for the next generation of research and development in Quantum Technologies and Applications. The mission will also incorporate start-up initiatives besides conventional academic research while also promoting entrepreneurial activities through funding schemes such as Grants.

R&D: NMQTA will help establish a national R&D program on quantum technologies and applications. This includes fundamental research, exploring the boundaries of quantum technologies that could possibly revolutionize much of what we know about technology at this time. This also includes exciting "far-out" applications of quantum technologies that have been identified as potentially transformative to our economy, such as: quantum communication; quantum sensing and metrology; quantum computing; and Quantum enhanced materials.

Industrial application: NMQTA will also provide all the participants access to the National Network of Computation for Industrial Application (NNCIIA) which includes a large, high-performance computing platform. The nationwide fibre optic network will improve communication between the institutions and make it easier for them to collaborate.