Quantum computing to tackle combustion challenges
PARIS, FRANCE: A research project, funded by the French Defense Innovation Agency, aims to develop the first hybrid quantum-classical platform to simulate the complex phenomenon of combustion and its applications.
The project, called VulQain, is a collaboration between Eviden, an Atos business, ColibrITD, a quantum software start-up, and ONERA, the French aerospace research center.
The project will combine Eviden’s quantum computer emulator and ColibrITD’s quantum software with ONERA’s classical simulation platform to address the challenges of combustion, such as its non-linearity and high computational cost. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions, lower the energy footprint of high-performance computing (HPC) centers and help develop safer engines and turbines in the future.
The project team will design a noise-resistant hybrid algorithm to solve differential equations using a simple case of a flame structure in one dimension. The algorithm will be tested on both quantum and classical platforms and compared for accuracy and efficiency.
The project is expected to last for 18 months and will leverage the expertise of the three partners in quantum computing, hybrid computing and combustion simulation.
Cédric Bourrasset, Global Head of HPC-AI and Quantum Computing at Eviden, said: “This project has come to life thanks to Atos’ innovation strategy. Atos and ColibrITD started their collaboration through Scaler, the Group’s start-up accelerator, and decided to solve the computational challenge of combustion through quantum technologies with the support of ONERA. This project is not only about algorithm research, but also to provide those industries that require combustion with a hybrid computational platform, enabling better simulation capacity and precision while improving their energy efficiency.”
Laurent Guiraud, Co-Founder and Quantum Computing R&D Lead at ColibrITD, said: “We are excited to be part of this project with our partners and to contribute to the development of quantum solutions for real-world problems. We believe that quantum computing can offer a significant advantage for complex phenomena like combustion that are beyond the reach of classical methods.”
Alain Refloch, in charge of quantum computing at ONERA QTECH laboratory, said: “This project is an opportunity for us to explore the potential of quantum computing for aerospace applications. We are looking forward to working with Eviden and ColibrITD on this innovative platform that will allow us to compare quantum and classical approaches for combustion simulation.”
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