Over 100 participants from NAT, TECH, HEALTH, and ARTS gathered for the Quantum Campus Aarhus Kickoff at iNANO. The event showcased the university's strengths and depth in quantum technology, highlighting a wide range of research areas that promise fruitful future collaborations.
On May 23, 2024, Aarhus University held the official kickoff for Quantum Campus Aarhus (QCA), an initiative spearheaded by the Faculty of Natural Sciences (NAT). The event, held at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), attracted over 100 participants from NAT, TECH, HEALTH, and ARTS faculties. It marked a significant milestone for the interdisciplinary initiative in quantum technology, demonstrating the university's extensive competencies and potential in this critical research area.
The day began with a warm welcome from Dean Birgit Schiøtt, who presented the vision for QCA, followed by a series of exciting presentations from researchers. One notable presentation was by Jaco van de Pol from the Department of Computer Science, who works on optimizing quantum algorithms and circuits to minimize errors and maximize the efficiency of quantum computations. His research group has achieved significant improvements in quantum circuit optimization, which is crucial for realizing practical quantum computers in the future.
Sarang S. Dalal from the Center for Functionally Integrative Neuroscience presented groundbreaking research on observing fetal brains using quantum sensors. Dalal's research focuses on understanding how different areas of the brain communicate to help us make sense of the world and make decisions. He and his team have developed a new neuroimaging system based on quantum sensor technology that can measure the tiny magnetic signals generated by the human brain. This system allows researchers to study how this communication develops in children and even in the womb. This technology provides an unprecedented level of detail in our measurements and can answer many questions about brain development and function.
See the full program for the day here.
The QCA kickoff also included discussions on the broader societal implications of quantum technology. Andreas Roepstorff from AIAS gave a thought-provoking presentation on how the quantum society will shape the future and how we can prepare for these changes. Roepstorff emphasized that quantum technology is not only about technological advancements but also about how these technologies can impact and transform our society.
The day concluded with a presentation of the winning idea for the QCA logo, won by Associate Professor Jill Miwa from the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Her simple yet creative suggestion will serve as great inspiration for the upcoming QCA logo.
QCA's goal is to create an interdisciplinary network that fosters collaboration and development in quantum research and technologies. QCA aims to contribute to the formation of consortia that can deliver groundbreaking research. The kickoff event clearly demonstrated that AU has a strong position in this field, with excellent researchers and a solid infrastructure that makes it possible to tackle future challenges in quantum research.
With broad representation from all faculties, the event underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants from various research areas had the opportunity to network and discuss potential collaborations, laying a solid foundation for future research projects across disciplines.
