Germany is investing €1.75 million (approximately $1.87 million USD) in research led by the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) to advance the use of hybrid quantum-high-performance computing (HPC) in the creation of sustainable catalysts. Announced on February 12, 2025, the project aims to leverage the power of quantum computing and HPC to accelerate the design and discovery of catalysts that will significantly reduce the environmental footprint of various industrial processes.
The research initiative will explore the potential of these advanced computing methods to simulate and understand chemical reactions at the atomic level, which is crucial for designing more efficient and environmentally friendly catalysts. These catalysts can be used in a wide range of sectors, including energy, chemicals, and materials production, to replace processes that currently rely on unsustainable and often polluting methods.
CASUS, based in Görlitz, Germany, brings together researchers with expertise in various fields, including computational science, physics, and chemistry. By combining these diverse skills, the team hopes to open up new approaches to design and optimize catalysts. The project’s innovative approach could lead to the development of catalysts that can significantly reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption across multiple industries.
The project’s objectives include developing the necessary software and algorithms to simulate complex chemical reactions, optimizing quantum-HPC workflows, and validating the results against real-world experiments. This holistic approach will enable a comprehensive understanding of the catalytic processes, which will facilitate the development of more effective and sustainable catalyst solutions. The successful outcome of this research could revolutionize how industries approach chemical processes, leading them towards more sustainable operations that benefit both the environment and global economies.
