Industrial Design Boosted by Quantum Technology

Quantum technology company Terra Quantum has completed a project with specialty chemicals company Evonik to investigate using quantum-inspired methods to optimize industrial processes.

The partners targeted geometry optimization tasks using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. CFD is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods to analyze and simulate fluid flows. It plays a vital role in industrial applications, such as chemical mixing in reactors. Geometry optimization focuses on the physical aspects that affect these systems.

Taking these factors into account requires multi-objective optimization, finding solutions that are the best trade-off between competing objectives, which is challenging for classical computers. The result is a set of optimal solutions known as the Pareto front, where no single solution is superior in all aspects.

The project used Terra Quantum's quantum-inspired optimization solver, TQOptimaX, with TetraOpt, a tensor network-based optimizer designed for black-box optimization, to demonstrate applying quantum-inspired methods to real-world industrial process challenges.

TQOptimaX is designed to handle non-linear constraints and produce well-distributed Pareto fronts, offering a clear view of optimal trade-offs.

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The project demonstrated that Terra Quantum's solutions performed on par with Evonik's production solver, highlighting the practical viability of quantum-inspired technologies.

“This collaboration showcases the practical potential of quantum technologies for industrial applications,” said Terra Quantum CEO and founder Markus Pflitsch.

“With TQOptimaX, we are challenging limitations in optimization and demonstrating the value of quantum computing for real-world use cases.”

Evonik chief digital officer Henrik Hahn added: “Our work with Terra Quantum has proven that quantum computing solutions, such as TQOptimaX, can compete with the best solvers available. We look forward to exploring further applications of quantum computing in our operations as the technology continues to evolve.”

This achievement marks a step toward implementing quantum-inspired technologies in real-world industrial applications, extending their utility beyond theoretical models.