PASQuanS · Project

Large-Scale Quantum Simulators That Solve Optimization Problems Classical Computers Cannot

digitalTestedTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

Imagine you have a puzzle with a thousand pieces, and to find the best arrangement you'd need to try every possible combination — something that would take a regular computer longer than the age of the universe. PASQuanS built programmable machines that use individual atoms and ions (up to 1000 of them) as tiny calculators working together according to quantum rules, letting them explore all possibilities at once. They proved these machines can already beat classical computers on certain tough problems. Think of it as going from a pocket calculator to a supercomputer, but specifically for the kind of optimization headaches that plague logistics, chemistry, and materials design.

By the numbers

>1000

target atoms/ions in scaled-up quantum simulator

50+

cold atoms handled in neutral-atom simulators at project start

ions with unsurpassed control at project start

consortium partners across 6 countries

industrial partners developing enabling technologies and spin-offs

EUR 9,257,515

EU contribution to the project

total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Many industries face optimization problems — drug molecule screening, logistics routing, materials design — where the number of possible combinations explodes so fast that even the most powerful classical supercomputers cannot find the best solution in a reasonable time. This bottleneck costs companies months of computation, forces them to use rough approximations, and means they may never find the truly optimal answer.

The solution

What was built

The project built operational programmable quantum simulators using 50-1000 individual atoms and ions, demonstrated quantum advantage for non-trivial problems, developed improved optical and laser modules for atomic traps, and created cryogenic systems compatible with optical traps and lattices. These form modular building blocks for next-generation quantum simulators.

Audience

Who needs this

Pharmaceutical companies running large-scale molecular simulationsLogistics and supply chain companies solving complex routing optimizationMaterials science firms designing new alloys or composites computationallyFinancial services firms optimizing large portfolios or risk modelsQuantum technology startups building commercial quantum hardware

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Pharmaceutical & Chemical

enterprise

Target: Pharmaceutical companies and chemical manufacturers with molecular simulation needs

If you are a pharmaceutical company spending months simulating molecular interactions for drug candidates — this project built programmable quantum simulators with 50 to 1000 individual atomic elements that can model quantum chemistry problems. With 5 industrial partners already involved in identifying key applications, these simulators could dramatically compress your molecular screening timelines for complex compounds.

Logistics & Supply Chain

enterprise

Target: Logistics firms and large retailers solving complex routing and scheduling problems

If you are a logistics company wrestling with route optimization across hundreds of delivery points — this project demonstrated quantum advantage for optimization problems using programmable atomic simulators. The consortium of 19 partners across 6 countries developed quantum annealing capabilities that tackle combinatorial optimization far sooner than digital quantum computers can.

Advanced Materials & Manufacturing

mid-size

Target: Materials science companies and semiconductor manufacturers designing new materials

If you are a materials company trying to predict properties of new alloys or composites before expensive physical testing — this project scaled quantum simulation platforms beyond 1000 atoms with full programmability. The 6 theoretical teams developed certification and control techniques specifically aimed at materials development applications.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to access this quantum simulation technology?

The project received EUR 9,257,515 in EU funding across 19 partners to develop these platforms. Based on available project data, no commercial pricing is published yet. Access would likely come through partnerships with the 5 industrial consortium members or future spin-off companies developing enabling technologies.

Can these quantum simulators handle industrial-scale problems today?

The project demonstrated operational programmable quantum simulators with 50 to 1000 individual elements and proved quantum advantage for non-trivial problems. While this represents a major leap from the previous state-of-the-art of 20 controlled ions, most real-world industrial optimization problems will require further scaling. The modular building blocks developed are designed for a future generation of even larger simulators.

What is the IP situation and how can companies license this technology?

PASQuanS was a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) funded under Horizon 2020, which typically means IP stays with the consortium partners who generated it. The 5 industrial partners were specifically tasked with commercial spin-offs of the project. Companies interested in licensing should contact the consortium through Max Planck Society as coordinator.

How does this compare to quantum computers from IBM or Google?

PASQuanS focused on analogue quantum simulation rather than digital quantum computing. The project states that full programmability makes it possible to address quantum annealing and optimization problems much sooner than digital quantum computation. This means it targets a specific class of problems where it can deliver results before general-purpose quantum computers catch up.

What industries were specifically targeted for applications?

The project explicitly targeted fundamental science, materials development, quantum chemistry, and real-world industrial optimization problems. The 7 industry partners and major industrial end-users were tightly associated with the consortium to identify and implement key applications where quantum simulation provides a competitive advantage.

When could a company realistically use this technology?

The project ran from 2018 to 2022 and delivered operational prototypes with demonstrated quantum advantage. The consortium produced modular building blocks for next-generation quantum simulators. Based on available project data, commercial deployment timelines depend on the successor projects and the 5 industrial partners' roadmaps for spin-off technologies.

Consortium

Who built it

PASQuanS assembled a strong 19-partner consortium across 6 countries (Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, UK), coordinated by the Max Planck Society — one of Europe's most prestigious research organizations. The consortium has a notable 37% industry ratio with 7 industry partners including 5 SMEs, which is high for a quantum research project and signals genuine commercial intent. The structure — 5 experimental groups, 6 theoretical teams, and 5 industrial partners — was deliberately designed so that industrial players drive the technology transfer while academics push the science. Major industrial end-users were also associated with the consortium, meaning real companies tested whether these quantum simulators could solve their actual problems.

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EVCoordinator · DE
COLLEGE DE FRANCEthirdparty · FR
MY CRYO FIRMparticipant · FR
EXAILparticipant · FR
FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JULICH GMBHparticipant · DE
RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERGparticipant · DE
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVAparticipant · IT
INSTITUT D'OPTIQUE THEORIQUE ET APPLIQUEE IOTA - SUPOPTIQUEparticipant · FR
EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICHparticipant · CH
BULL SASparticipant · FR
PASQALparticipant · FR
OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTENparticipant · AT
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRSparticipant · FR
FREIE UNIVERSITAET BERLINparticipant · DE
TOPTICA PHOTONICS SEparticipant · DE
SORBONNE UNIVERSITEthirdparty · FR
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDEparticipant · UK

How to reach the team

Max Planck Society (Germany) coordinated this project. Contact their technology transfer office or reach out via the project website.

Order a report on this consortium See MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore how quantum simulation could solve your optimization or materials challenges? SciTransfer can connect you with the right consortium partners and help you evaluate fit — contact us for a briefing.

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