2024 - Our Year in Review
As we approach the end of 2024, we reflect with gratitude on an incredible year shaped by shared achievements and meaningful collaborations. Together with our partners and customers, we’ve been fortunate to work on fascinating commissions and pioneering research projects that push the boundaries of innovation.
A particularly proud moment for us this year was the release of HQStage, a milestone made possible through the trust and support of our collaborators, investors, and government agencies. This achievement is also a testament to the dedication and teamwork within HQS, as well as the shared vision we all strive to bring to life.
Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. We invite you to explore the key milestones and highlights of this year below, showcasing the incredible projects we’ve accomplished together.
Major Milestones of 2024
Launch of HQStage
This year marked the successful release of HQStage, our modular quantum simulation and quantum computing toolkit. Designed to meet the simulation needs of developers and researchers in quantum physics and chemistry. HQStage offers ten powerful simulation modules, an intuitive management user interface, and the flexibility to combine local and cloud computing. This toolkit is set to revolutionize how scientists and software developers approach quantum simulations.
Webinars and Community Engagement
Our HQStage webinar series saw remarkable participation, offering attendees an in-depth introduction to the various HQStage modules and our innovative approach to quantum simulations. These sessions not only facilitated a lively exchange of ideas but also equipped participants with practical insights and actionable knowledge to leverage our tools for their own cutting-edge projects.
Joint Projects:
This year, HQS has been involved in several contracts and research projects of great importance to the development of quantum technology. Some of these are highlighted below.
QRydDemo: HQS Quantum Simulations is proud to support the QRydDemo project on behalf of the University of Stuttgart by developing a specialized compiler for a quantum computer based on Rydberg atoms. This project, launched in 2021 and running until January 2025, is designed to deliver a highly specialized compiler tailored to meet its unique requirements, ensuring optimal performance and adaptability for customer needs.
AutoQML: In collaboration with Fraunhofer IPA, we developed the AutoSelectionBackend, a robust software library that enables the automatic transpilation of quantum machine learning circuits. This library has been successfully integrated into the AutoQML framework, which aims to incorporate quantum components into automated machine learning (AutoML) solutions.
AQUAS: The AQUAS project, a collaboration with Deutsches Luft- und Raumfahrtzentrum (DLR), aims to advance hydrogen research and production by utilizing quantum simulations to optimize electrolyzer materials, with a focus on improving efficiency. Employing hybrid algorithms tailored for today’s noisy quantum hardware, this project is set to conclude in January 2025, representing a significant leap forward in fuel cell and electrolyzer technology.
QSolid Project: We are delighted with the successful operation of the QSolid quantum computer demonstrator, a major milestone in the project led by Forschungszentrum Jülich and its partners, including HQS. Now application development is entering the next phase.
QuCUN2: This project focused on creating an educational use case for quantum computing in computational chemistry for BASF, specifically presenting the ozonolysis reaction and highlighting the benefits that quantum computing will bring to such simulations.
PhoQuant: We are pleased that PhoQuant, a joint project led by Q.ANT GmbH and funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is moving forward. With our photonic simulator now accessible via the cloud and connected to the first photonic quantum computer demonstrator, the project continues to explore potential applications in quantum simulations.
In REALISTIQ, we worked in close collaboration with our partner Freie Universität Berlin on the topic of quantum error correction. We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our horizon in this field and conceive new and exciting strategies for utilizing error correction codes as soon as possible.
In AVaQus and NEASQC, two four yearlong projects with large Europe-wide con-sortia, we collaborated on researching quantum computing use cases for quantum simu-lation, in particular in chemistry and life science. This led to the development of quan-tum algorithms, measurement optimization methods, and conventional software tools for quantum simulations, many of which are already implemented in our HQStage modules.
Published Papers
At HQS, we strive to share our knowledge and expertise to support the broader scientific community. Our publications explain the theories behind our software tools, offering researchers valuable insights into quantum simulation. Notable contributions include:
“Demonstration of system-bath physics on gate-based quantum computer”
“The impact of noise on the simulation of NMR spectroscopy on NISQ devices”
“Understanding Radicals via Orbital Parities”
“Efficient Random Phase Approximation for Diradicals”
A white paper on material-specific spin-bath model descriptions.
Looking Ahead to 2025
We look forward to collaborating on exciting opportunities and projects in 2025, contributing to the advancement of the quantum computing community as it progresses toward practical and impactful applications. Our goal is to continue our research into quantum AI and to efficiently increase the use of our AI tools in the field of quantum simulation and scientific software. Additionally, we are proud to contribute to the following projects in 2025:
QuantiCoM: The DLR Quantum Computing Initiative (QCI) has awarded a contract to HQS Quantum Simulations for the QuantiCoM materials research project. This project aims to enhance materials research by integrating quantum machine learning (QML) with traditional data-based methods to predict and optimize alloy properties.
KQCBW24: HQS is proud to be a partner in the KQCBW24 project, which aims to leverage the potential of quantum computers for practical applications. This project continues the successful work of the Kompetenzzentrum Quantencomputing Baden-Württemberg (KQCBW) and will further develop a unique quantum computing ecosystem in the region.
As we move into 2025, the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), we remain dedicated to advancing our work and contributing to the progress of the quantum computing community. We sincerely thank our partners, customers, and collaborators for their support and cooperation, which have been essential to this year’s accomplishments.