ABSTRACT

 

A quantum revolution is on the horizon, mirroring the digital revolution of the past. However, a crucial gap exists between developing quantum technologies and fostering public understanding and interest in them. To bridge this divide, the need to create a vibrant quantum ecosystem, reminiscent of the early days of personal computing, is evident. Quantum concepts and engineering can be challenging to grasp for non-physicists, and the barrier to entry is high. This limits broader education and understanding. Simultaneously, there is a need to demystify this technology, which will likely impact information security, chemistry, and drug design. Empowering students, hobbyists, engineers, and scientists to explore and innovate in the quantum realm is crucial. In the talk, the speaker will introduce quantum and then present a case study of an organization that sparked a culture of creativity. They will explain how the organization supported communities in developing innovative applications and how innovation within quantum communities can translate into tangible technological advancements. The speaker will lay out a roadmap for the structure, learning material, and projects that demonstrate how students apply quantum computing concepts in diverse fields, producing tangible results. A selection of learning materials includes Max Cut with QAOA, which focuses on optimization and graph theory. The goal is to solve the max-cut with QAOA through optimization while introducing the idea of hybrid iterative models. Circuit Compiler aims to create a simple compiler that optimizes the gates used within a circuit, understanding how quantum computers can be simulated. Maximum Independent Set aims to solve the maximum independent set using the adiabatic method instead of QAOA. It serves as a good introduction to neutral atom platform quantum computing instead of only learning about gate-based quantum computing and for those who want to learn about quantum computers at the lowest level.

 

BIO

 

Dongyang Li is a third-year Ph.D. student at the Purdue University School of Industrial Engineering; as a member of a quantum workforce development initiative at Purdue University and Northwestern University: Innovation in Quantum Pedagogy, Application and its Relation to Culture (IQ-PARC), Dongyang worked to address the education and access gap in quantum technologies. Dongyang holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University. Dongyang is an Associate Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), a Corporate Advisory Board Associate of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), President of Purdue System Thinkers (PurSysT), President and Co-founder of the Quantum Game Club. The primary support provided by the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education, Outreach, and Workforce Initiative Programs under Grant No. HQ0034-21-1-0014.