Quantum Computing Developments

Relevance of Bologna’s Technopole in developing the European High-Performance Computing System

The development of the Euro-Hpc High-Performance Computing Centre in Bologna requires research support, explicitly aimed at outlining the operational consequences of High-Performance computing systems, starting from both pre-exascale systems and quantum technologies.

Quantum information processing provides solutions to some of the most important issues both in basic and applied research, from physical and mathematical models to problems optimization, such as traffic flow, financial portfolios and work planning, through the development of algorithms (like those used for database query) or protocols (like those used in cryptography), more efficient than the classic ones.

Currently, research in quantum information processing is growing consistently, also thanks to significant technological efforts made by both leading industries and start-ups, which are creating and putting on the market quantum prototypes of calculators and other technologies.

The project “quantum processing for data analysis” explores the possibility to find solutions based on quantum computing, useful for elaborating and managing businesses’ and firms’ data, in a context which takes into account the current computing capacity of a real computer as well.

To this end, three main areas have been detected: they all follow a hybrid approach, which combines the current potential of a quantum computer with classic protocols. They may be applied to different fields.

Hybrid Machine Learning
Heuristic Algorithms
Quantum Embeddings

Goals of the project

This project is part of IFAB’s strategy to transform the Bologna Technopole into a benchmark in Europe for the industrial and financial applications of high-performance computing technologies. A research group will be set up, and it will allow:

the Foundation itself to take part in the National research in the important field of Quantum computing;
the inclusion of the Foundation in the European research programme on Quantum computing;
the Bologna-Emilia-Romagna Data Valley Pole to be recognised at the European level as a benchmark for the industrial and financial applications of high-performance computing technologies;
regional and Italian businesses to access with easy approaches to scientific high-performance computing, and in particular to quantum methodologies for solving complex problems.

Possible applications

The project is based on the development of quantum algorithms for hybrid machine learning and for the optimization of problems related to combinatorics. They will be implemented in multiple fields: industry, finance, sociology, medicine, urban systems.

In particular, possible implementations for firms are here below investigated. They may concern:

the optimization of logistic problems in the field of telecommunications;
the optimization of financial portfolios;
the analysis of social networks;
diagnostic imaging;
intelligent management of traffic flows of autonomous vehicles;
simulation of chemical and physical systems for pharmaceutical synthesis;
upgrading of machine learning algorithms with a forecasting goal;

The project may be a starting point in research, for a deeper cooperation with other European partners for bigger programmes. They may cover major problems, such as:

resolution of non-linear equations for aerodynamics modeling;
simulation of weather events on a large scale;
efficient query in a database;
cryptography protocols.
Enables businesses in Emilia-Romagna and across Italy to access easy approaches to scientific high-performance computing and, in particular, quantum approaches for solving complex issues.

Head of research

This project is developed by the researchers of the Department of Physics and Astronomy of University of Bologna, INFN, CINECA Quantum Computing Lab – which also provides quantum computing resources, and Società Leithà-Unipol Group.

For further information, please contact: [email protected]