Quantum Frontiers: Stony Brook Researchers Chart the Future of Technology

"This is a pivotal moment for the State University of New York at Stony Brook as we secure our spot as the leader in the country and the world in quantum technologies," said President Andrea Goldsmith in her opening remarks at "Stony Brook's Quantum Frontiers" panel discussion.

Held April 17 at the Charles B. Wang Center as part of Inauguration Week, faculty from across disciplines described how Stony Brook is advancing quantum science while preparing the next generation for careers in quantum.

The panel was moderated by David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Andrew Singer, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Goldsmith compared the current stage of quantum information to the early days of wireless communication. "If you can envision a future, you can go build it."

She pointed to Stony Brook's growing leadership in the field, including a quantum network already operating across Long Island and into New York City.

"We have created that magic right here at Stony Brook by building the largest quantum network in the country," Goldsmith said, noting its potential for "secure quantum communication for financial transactions, for health data, for everything that needs to be completely secure."

Panelists included Jennifer Cano, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy; P. Scott Carney, chair and professor of mechanical engineering; Hyeongrak "Chuck" Choi, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering; Eden Figueroa, endowed presidential professor of physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and director of the Center for Distributed Quantum Processing; Himanshu Gupta, professor of computer science; and Angela Kelly, professor of physics and science education.

Panelists emphasized that while quantum science may sound abstract, the real-world impact depends on translating theory into scalable technologies.

"Quantum information science and technology is about to change everything," said Carney. "But there won't be a revolution until we can manufacture them."

Carney described today's work as part of a "second quantum revolution," building on discoveries that led to semiconductors and modern computing. The next step will require bringing quantum systems into everyday use.

For Cano, the future of quantum technology is in materials that can reduce energy loss.

"Phones, networks, and the computers that power them make up 10 percent of global energy consumption," Cano said.

Her research focuses on quantum materials that allow electrons to move without resistance, similar to "a Japanese bullet train for electrons," eliminating wasted energy from collisions.

Along with her team, she is exploring two-dimensional materials and developing new computational methods to identify candidates for next-generation superconductors.

"That material will be the backbone of the next generation of energy efficient electronics," she said.

The promise of quantum computing lies in its ability to process vast amounts of data, Gupta said.

"In the classical world, an element of a computer is essentially a bit… 0 or 1," Gupta said. "In quantum, a qubit is actually 0 and 1 at the same time."

That capability could compress "millions of years of computing time into seconds," enabling breakthroughs in fields such as drug discovery and encryption.

Gupta noted that quantum computing presents new challenges, including the need for algorithms and secure systems to replace current encryption methods.

"In order to facilitate the promise of quantum technologies, we need to educate the workforce of the future," Kelly said.

Kelly highlighted outreach programs that have reached hundreds of middle and high school students, as well as partnerships with educators across Long Island.

"We believe that Stony Brook University is positioned to be an international leader in quantum education and workforce development," she said.

Efforts to make quantum computing practical are already underway in Stony Brook labs.

"It's a transformative technology that makes the impossible possible," Choi said, describing work to integrate quantum devices onto chips.

Figueroa is leading efforts to build a quantum Internet and described his own ambitious vision for quantum computing.

"We started building what is now the longest quantum network in the United States," Figueroa said, describing a system that distributes entangled particles across more than 140 kilometers.

The current Internet relies on signals that can be intercepted, but quantum networks use the properties of particles to ensure security.

"If you use these single photons, then you can build superpositions of information," Figueroa said. "And from these fundamental tools, the quantum internet can be built."

Figueroa added that while regional networks are already emerging, a fully realized national quantum internet may still be decades away.

Panelists agree that while quantum science is still in its early stages, the potential is vast.

"Our strides and impact in quantum technology will continue to grow and propel New York to be a leader in this pivotal field," Goldsmith said.

- Beth Squire