EPIQUS · Project

Chip-Scale Quantum Simulator That Runs at Room Temperature on Standard Silicon

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epiqus.fbk.eu

Imagine you need to simulate how molecules behave — something regular computers choke on because the math grows impossibly fast. EPIQUS built a quantum simulator the size of a computer chip that works at room temperature, not in a giant freezer like most quantum machines. They combined light-based computing (photonics) with standard silicon electronics on one chip, creating a 16-qubit device with a path to 50 qubits. Think of it as shrinking a room-sized quantum lab down to something that fits on your desk.

By the numbers

Qubits in the reconfigurable quantum interference circuit

Qubits scalability target using proposed technology

EUR 2,911,291

EU funding for the project

Consortium partners across 5 countries

~850nm

Operating wavelength of silicon single-photon detectors

Total project deliverables

The business problem

What needed solving

Companies in pharma, materials science, and chemistry need to simulate quantum mechanical behavior of molecules and materials, but current supercomputers are too slow and current quantum computers require expensive cryogenic infrastructure costing millions. There is no affordable, compact quantum simulation device that works at room temperature and integrates easily into existing workflows.

The solution

What was built

The project built a fully functioning quantum simulator prototype on a single chip, integrating silicon nitride photonics with CMOS electronics. The deliverables include the 16-qubit quantum photonic integrated circuit, scalable single-photon detectors, an electronic control board, and a software interface for system operation and result validation.

Audience

Who needs this

Pharmaceutical companies running molecular simulations for drug discoverySemiconductor foundries looking to manufacture quantum photonic chipsChemical companies modeling molecular interactions for new materialsQuantum computing startups seeking room-temperature hardware platformsDefense and security firms exploring quantum simulation capabilities

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Pharmaceutical & Drug Discovery

enterprise

Target: Mid-to-large pharma companies with molecular simulation needs

If you are a pharmaceutical company spending weeks on supercomputer time to simulate molecular interactions for drug candidates — this project developed a chip-scale 16-qubit quantum simulator that runs at room temperature. It could dramatically cut simulation time for molecular behavior modeling. The technology is designed for scalability up to 50 qubits, which opens the door to simulating increasingly complex molecules.

Semiconductor & Photonics Manufacturing

enterprise

Target: Chip foundries and photonic component manufacturers

If you are a semiconductor manufacturer looking to enter the quantum computing supply chain — this project demonstrated monolithic 3D integration of silicon nitride photonics with CMOS electronics. The platform uses standard silicon fabrication processes, meaning existing production lines could potentially be adapted. With 9 consortium partners across 5 countries validating the approach, this is a proven integration method.

Materials Science & Chemical Engineering

mid-size

Target: Chemical companies and materials research labs

If you are a materials company that needs to predict how new compounds will behave before expensive physical testing — this project built a quantum simulator specifically designed to tackle quantum mechanical problems. The room-temperature operation removes the need for costly cryogenic infrastructure. The fully functioning prototype with software interface means results can be validated against theoretical calculations.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would a quantum simulator like this cost compared to current solutions?

The project objective explicitly targets a 'cheap, easy-to-use, performant' quantum simulator. By using standard CMOS silicon manufacturing and room-temperature operation (no cryogenic cooling), it avoids the multi-million-euro infrastructure costs of superconducting quantum computers. However, no specific pricing data is available from the project — commercial cost will depend on future productization.

Can this scale to industrially useful problem sizes?

The current prototype operates at 16 qubits. The project envisions scalability up to 50 qubits using the same breakthrough technology. While 16 qubits is sufficient for proof-of-concept simulations, 50+ qubits would enter territory useful for real-world molecular and materials simulations. Based on available project data, the scalability path is designed but not yet demonstrated at 50 qubits.

What is the IP situation and how could a company license this?

The project was funded under FET Open (RIA), meaning the consortium partners — led by Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Italy) — retain the intellectual property. The technology involves patentable chip fabrication methods and circuit designs. A company interested in licensing would need to approach the coordinator directly. SciTransfer can facilitate that introduction.

Does this require special infrastructure to operate?

A key advantage of EPIQUS is room-temperature operation. The silicon SPADs work at approximately 850nm without cryogenic cooling. This eliminates the need for dilution refrigerators that superconducting quantum computers require. The system includes a custom analog control chip and software interface, making it closer to a turnkey device than a lab experiment.

How far is this from being a commercial product?

The project produced a fully functioning quantum simulator prototype interfaced to software, including an electronic control board and software interface. However, as a FET Open research project with EUR 2,911,291 in EU funding and only 11% industry participation (1 out of 9 partners), significant engineering and commercialization work remains. This is a research breakthrough, not yet a product.

What regulations apply to quantum computing technology?

Quantum computing hardware falls under dual-use technology export controls in many jurisdictions. The consortium includes a partner from South Korea (non-EU), which means export compliance frameworks were already part of the project. Any company commercializing this would need to navigate technology export regulations, particularly for the photonic and detector components.

Consortium

Who built it

The EPIQUS consortium brings together 9 partners from 5 countries (Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy, South Korea), heavily weighted toward academia and research with 5 universities and 3 research organizations. Only 1 industry partner is involved (11% industry ratio), and there are zero SMEs — which signals this is squarely in the research domain rather than near-market development. The coordinator, Fondazione Bruno Kessler in Italy, is a well-established research foundation with strong microfabrication capabilities. The inclusion of a Korean partner adds international reach but also reflects the global nature of quantum technology research. For a business looking to engage, the lack of industry partners means commercialization discussions would start from scratch with academic teams.

FONDAZIONE BRUNO KESSLERCoordinator · IT
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIENparticipant · AT
ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTEparticipant · KR
UNIVERSITAT WIENparticipant · AT
LFOUNDRY SRLparticipant · IT
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTOparticipant · IT
UNIVERSITAET ROSTOCKparticipant · DE
UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEAparticipant · ES

How to reach the team

Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), Trento, Italy — a major research foundation with dedicated technology transfer offices

Order a report on this consortium See FONDAZIONE BRUNO KESSLER profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing this quantum simulator technology or connecting with the research team? SciTransfer can arrange a direct introduction to the coordinator and help you evaluate the commercial potential for your specific use case.

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