Quantum computing promises to be the next paradigm of computing, harnessing the principles of quantum physics to perform computations and conduct tasks impossible for classical architectures. Today, researchers in academia and industry rapidly advance the field by designing new hardware, software, and algorithms that bring quantum computers closer to their great potential for unlocking new knowledge in physics, chemistry, cryptography, and other fields.

UChicago CS boasts many faculty, research groups, and students engaged at the frontier of this groundbreaking technology, exploring new ways of programming, designing, and teaching about quantum computers. The Enabling Practical-Scale Quantum Computing (EPiQC) collaboration, funded by an NSF Expedition in Computing grant and led by UChicago CS Professor Fred Chong, advances the abilities of near-term quantum computers. The department also benefits from deep connections with the Chicago Quantum Exchange, the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers at Argonne and Fermilab, and companies such as IBM and Intel.

Quantum Computing Research and Education

UChicago CS faculty research and teach about quantum computing hardware, software, programming, algorithms, and theory, building the future of this innovative technology.

Enabling Practical-scale Quantum Computing (EPiQC)

Launched in 2018 with a $10 million “Expeditions in Computing” grant from the National Science Foundation, the multi-institutional EPiQC collaboration seeks to narrow the gap to quantum computers capable of unprecedented feats. Quantum machines may soon be capable of performing calculations in chemistry, physics, and other fields that are extremely difficult or even impossible for today’s computers. The EPiQC mission is to develop new algorithms, software, and machine designs tailored to key properties of quantum device technologies with 100 to 1000 quantum bits — the scale researchers expect to reach over the next decade.

EPiQC is led by Fred Chong, Seymour Goodman Professor of Computer Science at UChicago, and includes collaborators from Duke, MIT, UCSB, Princeton, Argonne, Carnegie Mellon, and Georgia Tech. Faculty and student researchers in EPiQc have received numerous conference best paper and IEEE Top Picks awards, fellowships in industry, and started businesses in the emerging quantum sector. The collaboration also lays the foundation for tomorrow’s quantum computing experts, with innovative curricula, online courses, and museum exhibits reaching students from kindergarten through graduate school.

May 27, 2021

Three EPiQC Papers Chosen By IEEE Micro for Annual Top Picks Awards

May 27, 2021
Aug 05, 2020

University of Chicago and UIUC Lead New Quantum Education Program

Aug 05, 2020

The UChicago Quantum Community

Quantum technology is about more than just computing, stretching into communication, sensing, imaging, and other scientific fields. The University of Chicago and its affiliated laboratories are global leaders in exploring this new frontier and its groundbreaking applications.

Chicago Quantum Exchange

STAQ: Software-Tailored Architectures for Quantum Co-Design

Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

EPiQC Zine Project
A team of EPiQC staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and freelance artists have produced zines to educate the public about the history of quantum computing and topics such as superposition, entanglement, and reversibility.
EPiQC Zine Project
A team of EPiQC staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and freelance artists have produced zines to educate the public about the history of quantum computing and topics such as superposition, entanglement, and reversibility.
EPiQC Zine Project
A team of EPiQC staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and freelance artists have produced zines to educate the public about the history of quantum computing and topics such as superposition, entanglement, and reversibility.
EPiQC Zine Project
A team of EPiQC staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and freelance artists have produced zines to educate the public about the history of quantum computing and topics such as superposition, entanglement, and reversibility.

Quantum Computing News & Events

Argonne scientists use AI to identify new materials for carbon capture

Feb 19, 2024

New research unites quantum engineering and artificial intelligence

Jan 29, 2024

Group From UChicago CS To Present Four Papers at Most Prestigious International Quantum Conference

Jan 09, 2024

UChicago Scientists Make New Discovery Proving Entanglement Is Responsible for Computational Hardness In Quantum Systems

Jul 25, 2023

Virtual Bakery Game Serves Up Both Cupcakes and Quantum Concepts For K-12 Students

Mar 27, 2023

Assistant Professor Robert Rand Receives Air Force Young Investigator Grant

Dec 19, 2022
Professor Fred Chong advising students

Prof. Fred Chong Reappointed to National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee

Dec 13, 2022

Professor Fred Chong Named IEEE Fellow

Dec 09, 2022

Associate Professor Diana Franklin Named ACM Distinguished Member

Dec 07, 2022

Alumnus Pranav Gokhale Named to Crain’s 40 Under 40

Nov 07, 2022

Prof. Diana Franklin Discusses Quantum Computing Education on Entangled Things Podcast

Nov 03, 2022

High School Students in College Prep Program Visit UChicago CS

Aug 23, 2022