Quantum Computing Algorithms for NASA Applications

This is a proposal to study future applications of Quantum Computing (QC) to NASA’s strategic mission. While a fully operational quantum computer may still be years away, recent experimental progress has been significant and certainly warrants more attention. To this end, we will develop efficient new QC algorithms for solving coupled partial differential equations, with particular attention to how these tools may be applied to the most challenging NASA computational problems such as numerical relativity, radiation transport, atmospheric chemistry, materials science, finite element models, and simulation of N-body systems.

Efficient new QC algorithms for coupled PDEs; applications to numerical relativity, radiation transport, atmospheric chemistry, materials science, finite element models, and N-body simulation; positioning NASA for the computational revolution ahead of fully operational quantum computer availability.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.