Europe builds quantum computers with glass and light
Europe’s quantum ambitions face funding and commercialisation hurdles despite strong innovation
European researchers are building quantum computers using glass chips and photons instead of traditional silicon and electricity.
Led by the Italian Polytechnic University of Milan, the project is harnessing the power of light to deliver faster computing and solve real-world challenges.
These chips avoid energy loss by guiding photons through transparent glass, an approach designed to boost precision and reliability in quantum operations.
The collaborative effort includes specialists in photon detection, electronics, and quantum software, all working towards a functioning photonic quantum machine by 2026.
One of its first goals is to help design better lithium-ion batteries, which is vital for Europe’s shift to renewable energy and electric transport.
Europe’s broader ambition is to deploy a quantum-accelerated supercomputer by 2025 and grow a local quantum chip industry by 2030. While talent and innovation are strong, the project highlights a pressing need for greater private investment and commercial scale to match global rivals.
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