QUANTUM NEWS BRIEF
Northwest Quantum Nexus · March 9, 2026
About NQN
The Northwest Quantum Nexus (NQN) connects quantum researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and investors across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and the Northwest to advance quantum technology, build a quantum-ready workforce, and position the region as a global hub for quantum innovation.
SAVE THE DATE --- Northwest Quantum Day
April 14, 2026 · K&L Gates, 925 4th Ave, Seattle, WA · 9am--3pm
On April 14, K&L Gates will host the Northwest Quantum Nexus for a focused program exploring how quantum technologies are moving from research into real business use. The event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and regional stakeholders to discuss enterprise quantum engagement, cloud and hybrid computing infrastructure, investment and commercialization, and regional workforce development.
NORTHWEST
IonQ and Microsoft Propose Hybrid Quantum-AI Approach to Accelerate Chemistry Research
March 7, 2026 · Redmond, WA
Researchers from IonQ and Microsoft Quantum in Redmond have jointly proposed combining quantum computers with AI models to accelerate materials science and chemical research, extending a computational framework called Jacob's Ladder. The approach uses quantum hardware to generate highly accurate molecular simulation data that then trains classical AI models --- targeting advances in battery technology, drug discovery, and complex chemical systems. Both IonQ, which operates a manufacturing facility in Bothell, WA, and Microsoft Quantum, headquartered in Redmond, are founding NQN partners.
Scientists Propose Quantum-AI Hybrid for Chemistry Research
NATIONAL
Bipartisan Quantum in Practice Act Reintroduced in House
March 6, 2026 · Washington, D.C.
Reps. Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA) reintroduced the Quantum in Practice Act, legislation that would amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to formally include quantum molecular simulations and modeling as a priority application area. The bill is backed by IBM, Infleqtion, D-Wave, Quantinuum, and university quantum research centers, reflecting broad industry interest in connecting quantum computing to near-term use cases including drug discovery and materials design.
Feenstra, Stevens Reintroduce Quantum in Practice Act
QuSecure Wins $3.9M Air Force Contract for Post-Quantum Encryption
March 4, 2026 · San Mateo, CA
QuSecure was awarded a $3.9 million SBIR TACFI contract by AFWERX to develop post-quantum encryption for U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, including work to secure the B-52 bomber platform. The company's QuProtect R3 platform will pursue Impact Level 6 authorization for classified cloud deployment by Q3 2026. QuSecure also holds a position on the Missile Defense Agency's $151 billion SHIELD IDIQ contract, awarded in the same week --- signaling accelerating federal procurement of post-quantum cybersecurity solutions.
QuSecure to Deliver Quantum-Resilient Air Force Encryption
IBM and University of Manchester Use Quantum Processor to Confirm Novel Molecular Structure
March 5, 2026 · San Jose, CA
IBM Research and scientists from the University of Manchester synthesized the first molecule with a half-Mobius electronic topology and used an IBM Heron quantum processor simulating 32 electrons to confirm the exotic structure, with results published in Science. The milestone demonstrates quantum computing's growing utility for fundamental scientific discovery. PNNL, a founding NQN partner, maintains active DOE-backed collaborations with IBM Quantum through the National QIS Research Centers.
IBM and University Researchers Create Novel Molecule Using Quantum Computing
INTERNATIONAL
Germany Commits €15M to Move Trapped-Ion Quantum Systems to Industrial Scale
March 7, 2026 · Hannover--Braunschweig, Germany
Germany's Federal Ministry for Research approved €15 million ($17.4M USD) in second-phase funding for QVLS-iLabs, the Hannover--Braunschweig quantum future cluster, to transition trapped-ion quantum computers and high-precision sensors from university labs to factory-floor applications. The three-year investment supports 25 partners across research, industry, and startups focused on integration with high-performance computing environments. The cluster is one of the few in Germany's Clusters4Future initiative dedicated exclusively to quantum technologies.
QVLS-iLabs Secures €15M for German Quantum Technology Transfer
QUANTUM CENTER WATCH
Colorado School of Mines Plans Underground Quantum Cryolab Inside Mountain Tunnel
March 2, 2026 · Golden, CO · Elevate Quantum Tech Hub
Colorado School of Mines announced plans to build a quantum cryolab 400 meters inside a mountain mine tunnel, leveraging the naturally stable temperature and vibration-isolated environment for sensitive quantum computing experiments. The underground lab is part of Mines' growing quantum program, which will enroll its first class of quantum systems engineering bachelor's students in fall 2026. Colorado is home to the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub --- one of only two quantum-dedicated EDA Tech Hubs nationally --- which is bringing its Quantum COmmons facility online in 2026 with 27,000 sq ft of fabrication and open-access quantum lab space.
Colorado School of Mines Plans Underground Quantum Computing Lab
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub Advances to Final Round of EDA Competition
January 8, 2026 · Chicago, IL · Bloch / Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park [Most recent available --- no in-window story found for this center]
The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange and serving Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, advanced to the second and final stage of the EDA's Tech Hub awards competition with a proposal focused on securing U.S. workforce advantages in quantum technology. Illinois has committed approximately $700 million in state funding to the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, including PsiQuantum's planned 300,000-sq-ft fault-tolerant quantum computer facility on Chicago's South Side, with a projected $60 billion economic impact for the Chicago metro over the next decade.