To path indicator Subpages of “Newsdetail“ To navigation To quick access To footer with other services
To content
English Logo - Department of Physics - TU Dortmund
Studierende sitzt am Arbeitsplatz und schaut auf den Laptop. © Aliona Kardash​/​TU Dortmund
Memorandum of Understanding

NRW-USA cooperation in quantum research strengthened

-
in
  • News
Group picture of the signatories © MKW NRW
Meeting in California for the joint signature of the Memorandum of Understanding (from right to left): NRW Science Minister Ina Brandes, Prof. Manfred Bayer (President TU Dortmund University and Scientific Spokesperson EIN Quantum NRW), Prof. Lisa Alvarez-Cohen (Vice Provost for Academic Planning & Senior International Officer UC Berkeley), Prof. Katherine (Kathy) Yelick (Vice Chancellor for Research UC Berkeley) and Prof. Steven Kahn (Dean of Mathematical & Physical Sciences UC Berkeley).
As part of a delegation trip by the Ministry of Culture and Science (MKW) to the United States with Minister Ina Brandes, Rector Prof. Manfred Bayer signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) during the summer break. As a partner of the "EIN Quantum NRW" competence network, TU Dortmund University intends to strengthen its scientific cooperation in quantum research with the renowned US university. North Rhine-Westphalian and American representatives from science and industry also exchanged views on quantum technologies, battery research and strategic partnerships for future technologies at other locations in San Francisco and Chicago.

Powerful computers for the rapid processing of large amounts of data, highly sensitive sensors and new encryption methods - quantum technologies are set to help provide new answers to the big questions and challenges of our time. In 2022, more than a dozen research institutions in NRW joined forces with industry representatives to launch the "EIN Quantum NRW" network in order to share the latest findings, initiate innovative projects and train specialists for this future field.

Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at UC Berkeley are also working on the further development of hardware and software for quantum computing and conducting research into materials, algorithms and applications for these new technologies. In a joint declaration of intent, TU Dortmund University and UC Berkeley have therefore agreed to consider collaborating on research projects and organizing joint conferences, workshops and seminars in the field of quantum research. In addition, both universities want to explore ways to enable reciprocal guest stays - for professors as well as for postdocs, doctoral students and Master's students.

Basic research in Dortmund

"The applicability of quantum technologies is still in its infancy," explains Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University and scientific spokesperson for the EIN Quantum NRW competence network. "The foundations come from the universities - we are helping to deepen our understanding of quantum effects and discover new phenomena that are relevant for the development of quantum computing, quantum communication and other applications." For example, physicists at TU Dortmund University have been researching the fundamentals of quantum optics since 2014 in the DFG Collaborative Research Center 142 "Tailored Nonlinear Photonics: From Fundamental Concepts to Functional Structures" together with Paderborn University. The scientists specifically manipulate photons - small particles of light that make up electromagnetic radiation. The aim of the physicists is to advance the research activities of the Collaborative Research Center from the fundamentals of light and material physics to applications, for example in information and communication technology.

For the research and transfer of quantum technologies, TU Dortmund University scientists are also involved in two current projects of the European network "QuantERA", which is funded by the EU, the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH. In the "MEEDGARD" project, led by Dr. Doris Reiter from the Department of Physics, partners from Germany, Austria, the UK and Poland are researching how information in the nuclear spin of atoms can be stored in a quantum dot, a nanoscopic semiconductor structure. The "QuCABOoSE" project, in which Prof. Marc Aßmann from the Department of Physics is involved together with partners from Germany, Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic, is dedicated to the question of how an environment can be tailored for technological application in such a way that it does not impair the fragile quantum states and can even take on useful functions.

Scientific exchange in the USA

In order to further expand basic research into quantum effects and technological transfer, TU Dortmund University and the EIN Quantum NRW network also want to work more closely with American partners in the future.

Manfred Bayer says: "I am sure that both sides can benefit from deepening scientific relations with colleagues in Berkeley, because progress in knowledge thrives on international exchange." The broad-based cutting-edge research on quantum computing at Berkeley offers numerous points of contact for scientific cooperation. Manfred Bayer signed the Memorandum of Understanding together with Prof. Lisa Alvarez-Cohen, Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Chief International Officer at UC Berkeley, in the presence of Science Minister Ina Brandes during a visit to the Californian campus.

Photo of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding © MKV NRW
President Manfred Bayer (center) and Prof. Lisa Alvarez-Cohen (left) signed the Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Science Minister Ina Brandes (right).

As part of the NRW-USA Year, with which the state government honors the approximately 340-year relationship with the United States, the NRW Science Minister visited various laboratories, universities and companies in Chicago and San Francisco in July together with representatives of universities, research institutions and companies. As scientific spokesperson for the EIN Quantum NRW network and Rector of TU Dortmund University, Manfred Bayer took part in the delegation trip and exchanged ideas with American scientists and experts. The trip focused on quantum technology, battery research and strategic partnerships for future technologies.

To top of page