Quantum Photonic for Sustainability

Una Ehlers & Clara Harborth

Invisible Forces, Visible Impact: How Quantum Physics help to save the planet

Scientists are exploring how tiny light particles could help solve some of the big challenges facing our planet. Experts in the International Research Training Group IRTG 2676 work on the tiniest elements of nature and how they are being used to shape big solutions: quantum computers can drastically reduce energy use, sensors that detect environmental changes with a high accuracy, and simulations making longer-lasting batteries or more efficient solar cells possible. But it's not just about developing futuristic tech — it's about rethinking how quantum physic scientists work. With a global network of experts and a new generation of researchers, IRTG 2676 is developing technology for data security, sensory processes and reduction in energy from the quantum level up. It may begin at the smallest scale — but the effects of this research could reach far beyond the lab.

Institute of Physics, University of Rostock, Germany 

( © ITMZ | Universität Rostock )

Invisible Forces, Visible Impact: How Tiny Particles Drive Sustainable Solutions for Our Planet

In Rostock and Canada, young researcher are looking into the elementary building blocks of matter and light - and using their insights to build technology that uses less energy and reduces emissions

Quantum physics sounds like a world on its own - complex, abstract and far removed from daily life. But what if it holds a key to greater sustainability? Quantum science explores the behavior of nature at its smallest scale—individual particles of light and matter that follow rules very different from everyday physics. At this level, particles can be in two places at once or become linked across vast distances. These strange effects are now being harnessed to develop technologies that may help tackle some of today's biggest challenges—including those related to energy, climate and sustainability.

One initiative exploring this potential is the International Research Training Group IRTG 2676 – Imaging Quantum Systems at the University of Rostock. Researchers there are working closely with partner universities in Ottawa and Calgary, Canada, to bring quantum technologies from the lab into society. These technologies use special properties of the tiniest particles, such as light, to create powerful tools – like very fast computers or more accurate sensors.

Quantum computer

(© Frank_Rietsch, to be found on pixabay.com | AI-generated picture modified by authors)

Quantum technology for a sustainable future

Prof. Dr. Stefan Scheel, spokesperson of IRTG 2676 in Rostock, emphasizes that quantum computers could handle certain tasks much more efficiently than classical computers in the future. This would not only save computing time, but also significantly reduce energy consumption.
"If we succeed in building a quantum computer that can solve very specific tasks much more efficiently than current classical computers, then the consequence would be that I have also saved energy, saved time, saved computing time," Scheel explains. Such developments could enable new applications in the future - for example in environmentally friendly technology or in the accurate simulation of physical processes. Furthermore, quantum technologies could support the development of new materials that are more durable or require less energy in use — as in high-performance batteries for electric vehicles or more efficient solar cells, according to the expert. These kinds of applications can help reduce emissions over the long term and counteract climate change.

This isn't where it ends: Scheel explains that quantum technologies can also help us better understand how molecules behave during very fast processes – for example, in photosynthesis. As he puts it, researchers are "looking at ultrashort timescale processes of molecular interaction, which are, for example, important for photosynthesis." This knowledge could one day be used to design energy-saving technologies.

(© Authors' illustration with images by SIMON LEE (@simonppt) and Karlis Reimanis (@reims), to be found on unsplash.com) 

Environmental Risk Modeling through Quantum Computing

Prof. Dr. Barry Sanders from the University of Calgary is a key partner of Scheel. In addition to his research on theory, he explores how quantum research can be used to solve tangible challenges in society. He is the Scientific Director of Calgary's Quantum City initiative: "The mission is to create adoption pathways for quantum technology," Sanders explains. He emphasizes that these pathways are essential to ensure that quantum technology responds effectively to social challenges such as climate change or security.
One of his areas is flood prediction. According to Sanders, in Germany, some areas are still classified as zones expected to be flooded once every one hundred years, however, climate change is shifting these probabilities: What used to be once in a hundred years might now be once in twenty, he adds. To this end, he has projects on flood and wildfire prediction. These projects use satellite images and climate data to create models that predict environmental risks. The calculations are complex but don't involve huge amounts of data, so quantum computing could help.
While it is still early, his team is already testing whether quantum methods can improve such forecasts. While he remains cautious about overpromising, he sees potential for quantum computing to support these types of difficult environmental forecasting problems.

Collaboration for real change

When Prof. Dr. Alexander Szameit, director of the department of physics at the University of Rostock and board member of the IRTG, speaks about sustainability, he also means a sustainable research environment: he compares the development of quantum research to building a strong ecosystem. It's not enough to focus solely on scientific excellence. Training the next generation, attracting talent, and creating long-term opportunities also matter according to him. "We bring in people from all over the world, really excellent people, and train them in quantum technology here," Szameit explains. "The goal," he adds, "is to strengthen quantum science in Germany – and ideally in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. "
The shared vision that connects researchers in Rostock and Canada focuses on building a long-term, sustainable research environment. For Scheel, the IRTG 2676 program is not only international in terms of its partner institutions, but also in the backgrounds of the doctoral researchers involved.

Tiny particles, powerful potential

Finally, even if its research subjects are tiny, quantum physics can serve society in multiple ways: Not only by adding to knowledge about the universe, but also by helping to solve the energy and environmental crisis. These ideas developed at the IRTG 2676 show, how different scales of sustainability in research can be tackled - with light particles, international cooperation and a commitment to connecting science and society.