On November 6th, Gov. Pritzker inaugurated the Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Centers (SQMSC) Garage at Fermilab, a key development in quantum materials research. Located in Batavia, Illinois, the SQMSC Lab is home to the first commercial quantum processor installed at Fermilab. It has been defined as an important step for technological progress and future advancements in quantum science.
Collaboration is a key component of the SQMSC, with hundreds of experts from several institutes across four nations contributing their expertise. Fermilab continues to be a national leader in particle physics, housing cutting-edge particle accelerators on a 6,800-acre campus.
Gov. Pritzker has made significant investments in the quantum field, contributing $200 million to the Chicago Quantum Exchange through the Rebuild Illinois capital plan. Illinois remains unique in its quantum research efforts with it housing two of the five National Quantum Labs, more than 100 incubators and accelerators, and globally-recognized research universities.
Illinois's long-standing commitment to quantum research was also demonstrated in 2022, when both the Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab received $115 M grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The University of Illinois and the University of Chicago also secured $25 million National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Grants, affirming Illinois's status as a significant player in quantum research.
Recently, two Illinois programs—the Central Illinois Fermentation and Agriculture Biomanufacturing (iFAB) Hub and the Chicago Area Quantum Tech Hub: The Bloch—have been identified as part of 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This recognition is due to potential for innovation and promotes them for application within the second phase of the Tech Hubs Program, which could secure between $50 and $75 million in federal funding according to Gov. Illinois.
In the view of these numerous achievements, the SQMSC can be seen as a milestone in the state's dedication to advancing quantum research. It represents a significant step forward, offering a glimpse into a future where quantum computing becomes a powerful tool in our evolving world.
