Hackathon, Tech seminar highlight University's quantum efforts as school year draws to a close
College of Engineering Dean JC Zhao speaks at the Quantum Technologies Seminar. Contributed photo.
As the state awaits word on a transformative grant, UConn continues to prioritize quantum research and technology through a series of events held in March and April.
UConn's Technology Commercialization Services (TCS) is hosting the second annual QuantumUP! hackathon on Wednesday, April 8. The program seeks to engage UConn students and peers across the state in conversations about how advancements in technology are poised to transform Connecticut's economy. It encourages participation from students majoring in non-STEM fields.
The hackathon will be held at the UConn Graduate Business Learning Center, 100 Constitution Plaza, in Hartford, beginning at 11 a.m. It will be co-hosted by QuantumCT, a public-private partnership established to advance Connecticut as the nation's top accelerator of quantum technology. Partners include government offices and agencies, industrial leaders, communities, and academics.
Abhijit Banerjee, UConn associate vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship, says the hackathon will seize upon the concept of quantum adoption to accelerate advantage.
"Our first QuantumUP! proved that quantum technology is not just for engineers and physicists," says Banerjee. "We are excited to see what this year's competition will bring. Our goal is to create an environment where students from diverse academic backgrounds can collaborate, innovate, and compete for prizes while gaining exposure to this rapidly evolving field."
Sponsors for this year's QuantumUP! include national law firms and industry partners who will be providing real-world challenges for the teams of students. Areas will include business applications, policy, legal and intellectual property considerations, ethical and social implications of quantum technologies, and quantum adoption strategies.
Quantum Technology Seminar
In addition to the hackathon, UConn recently hosted a Quantum Technology Seminar, held at the Tech Park Wednesday, March 11. The College of Engineering organized the seminar, which focused on translating quantum technology into real research and technology opportunities across different industries.
The event was an international affair, with experts coming from throughout the U.S. and Europe, including the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences and Germany's University of Göttingen.
"At our recent Quantum Technologies Seminar, we convened leading researchers, industry partners, and students to examine how breakthroughs in quantum science are rapidly evolving into practical technologies," says JC Zhao, dean of UConn's College of Engineering. "These conversations are critical-not only for advancing discovery, but for preparing engineers to lead in a field that will redefine computing, communication, and security. UConn Engineering is proud to be at the forefront of this work, fostering collaboration across disciplines and accelerating innovation and impact from the lab."
Zhao emphasized that UConn Engineering continues to build strong momentum in quantum computing, with growing research expertise, cross-campus partnerships, and industry engagement, positioning the college as a key contributor to the university's broader quantum initiatives.
UConn's Quantum Capital
Both the seminar and the hackathon exemplify UConn's investment into quantum technology as a potential gamechanger for the state. UConn and Yale are co-leaders on the historic QuantumCT proposal, with partners throughout Connecticut's governmental and industrial sectors. The proposal seeks to establish the state as the nation's quantum technology accelerator, drawing on the research strengths of the two universities as well as the infrastructure and educated workforce necessary to succeed.
The QuantumCT proposal is a finalist for a National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovations Engines grant, with an award of up to $160 million. The NSF has yet to announce the grant recipients. A delegation made a site visit to Connecticut in December, meeting with leaders from both major research universities along with state officials.
"Connecticut has one of the nation's strongest concentrations of early adopters of quantum technologies, positioning the state as a leader in this emerging field," UConn interim Provost Pamir Alpay said prior to the site visit. "By working closely with industry partners, we are advancing near-term applications that will lay the foundation for a quantum-enabled future."
The State is also investing in quantum as critical to economic and technological development, with $61 million already promised. That includes $10 million to fund QuantumCT, the nonprofit entity established to carry out the mission to proliferate quantum research and innovation. If the NSF awards the proposal, Connecticut has also pledged an additional $60 million in funding.
As a decision looms, UConn's quantum research and innovation has proliferated. The Quantum Alliance includes faculty from multiple schools and colleges. Areas of concentration include computing and cybersecurity, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, aerospace and defense, fintech, and energy security. More than 90 faculty members university-wide are members of the Alliance.
