Experts in quantum science and technology coming from academy and industry met in Bilbao on the occasion of Quantum 2021, a three-day event meant to become the first of a new series of international conferences dedicated to this emerging and promising field of research. The ICN2 is among the organizers.
On November 23-25, it was held in Bilbao (Spain) Quantum 2021, the 1st edition of a newly established Quantum International Conference aiming at gathering the various communities engaged with the study of quantum phenomena and materials and their applications. A three-day event of plenary presentations, an industrial forum and a poster session, Quantum 2021 was combined with ImagineNano 2021, a conference dedicated to nanotechnology at large (which reached this year its 6th edition).
Particularly appealing in the field of Quantum Science and Technology is the possibility of building quantum computers, whose computational capability and speed is expected to be astonishing, but it is not the only goal of this expanding field of research and high-tech industry. Other lines of development are focused on taking advantage of quantum phenomena for secure communication technologies, precise sensing and quantum simulation. In addition, there is a vast range of emerging quantum materials –including 2D materials, topological insulators, Weyl semimetals, twisted (Moiré) van der Waals heterostructures and more— which offer both a revolutionary playground for fundamental science and opportunities for novel applications.
Since quantum science and technologies are moving forward rapidly and have an enormous potential impact on society, industry and economy, it becomes more and more important to set stages for experts in this field to discuss ideas, share knowledge and create synergies. This is indeed the main goal of the Quantum International Conference, which is meant to become an annual appointment. The ICN2 participated in the organization of Quantum 2021, together with Phantoms Foundation (main organiser), the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), the Materials Physics Center of San Sebastián-Donostia (CFM) and the Institute of Photonic Science of Barcelona (ICFO). ICREA Prof. Pablo Ordejón, ICN2 Director and leader of the Theory and Simulation Group, and ICREA Prof. Stephan Roche, head of the ICN2 Theoretical and Computational Nanoscience Group, were part of the Organising Committee, and ICREA Prof. Jordi Arbiol, leader of the ICN2 Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group and coordinator of the METCAM-FIB project (ERDF funds), was a member of the International Scientific Committee.
More than 30 high profile experts, from both academia and industry, were invited to present their work in this international event. Among the speakers were Dr Klaas-Jan Tielrooij, leader of the ICN2 Ultrafast Dynamics in Nanoscale Systems Group, who talked about ultrafast diffusion and dynamics in quantum materials, and Dr Aron Cummings, Senior Researcher in Prof. Roche’s group, who discussed intraparticle entanglement in graphene.
Next edition will be held in Barcelona in November 2022.