Alfred University and Classiq Launch Joint Quantum Computing Initiative

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Alfred University (New York State College of Ceramics) and quantum development company Classiq have announced a joint quantum computing initiative aimed at integrating functional hardware-portable software modeling into engineering curricula and energy system research. This academic collaboration leverages Classiq's advanced synthesis platform to bypass manual, gate-level quantum circuit construction, enabling students and researchers to design functional algorithms without deep underlying compilation skills. The curriculum expansion is designed to support talent development and applied energy optimization models within the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

The initiative's framework includes: a software engine utilizing Classiq's advanced functional synthesis platform and agent compilation workflow; research focusing on power system unit commitment optimization and ceramic/glass material discovery; and academic integration embedded within the Inamori School of Engineering curriculum, extending to the City University of New York (CUNY) and SUNY networks.

Teaching integration is led by Junpeng Zhan, Assistant Professor of Renewable Energy Engineering at the Inamori School of Engineering, who has incorporated the platform into existing courses. Zhan's core research focuses on power system optimization, particularly the "unit commitment problem"—a multivariate computational task by which grid operators determine the most cost-effective generation schedule to meet fluctuating regional energy demand. The initiative builds on Zhan's previous projects funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), as well as a 2024 research collaboration with the Rochester Institute of Technology and ISO-New England, aimed at exploring quantum optimization pathways for wholesale power grids.

The initiative also encompasses solid-state physics and advanced materials modeling, led by S. K. Sundaram, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Inamori. This branch explores quantum algorithms for molecular configuration simulations to assess structural tolerances in advanced ceramics, glass, and manufactured components. Alfred University and Classiq are jointly developing educational expansion plans focused on AI-assisted quantum design, and are submitting multi-institutional funding proposals to extend quantum computing access to community colleges, technical schools, and broader regional infrastructure within the SUNY and CUNY systems.