Airbus, BMW, and Quantinuum Team Up to Advance Quantum-Powered Fuel Cell Research
Airbus, BMW Group, and Quantinuum have joined forces to harness the power of quantum computing for fuel cell research. Their collaboration focuses on the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a critical process in fuel cells that currently relies heavily on platinum catalysts. Airbus sees this work as a stepping stone towards sustainable, hydrogen-powered aircraft like the ZEROe.
The team successfully modeled the ORR on a platinum-based catalyst surface using Quantinuum's H-Series quantum computer. This breakthrough could pave the way for identifying alternative, cheaper materials that enhance fuel cell performance and reduce production costs. Dr. Peter Lehnert of BMW Group believes quantum computing will accelerate research into sustainable mobility materials.
The collaboration involves companies like PlanQC from Germany, which is working on molecular simulations relevant for catalysis in fuel cells using quantum computers at room temperature. Other global players such as Google, Microsoft, IonQ, and D-Wave are also advancing quantum computing technologies that could significantly impact materials discovery and chemical reaction understanding in fuel cells.
Airbus plans to test a hydrogen-powered fuel cell propulsion system onboard its ZEROe demonstrator aircraft in the next few years. The company sees the benefits of this study in its quest for sustainable aviation. Ilyas Khan of Quantinuum expressed excitement about working with BMW Group and Airbus to advance future sustainable mobility using quantum computing.
Airbus, BMW Group, and Quantinuum have demonstrated the potential of quantum computing in accelerating fuel cell research. Their successful modeling of the ORR on a quantum computer brings us one step closer to more efficient and affordable fuel cells. With Airbus' plans to test hydrogen-powered propulsion systems in the near future, the future of sustainable aviation is looking brighter.
