As we mark the centenary of the discovery of quantum mechanics, it’s worth reflecting on the profound impact this breakthrough has had on our understanding of the world. The laws of physics that govern the behavior of molecules, atoms, and subatomic particles are fundamentally different from those that govern our everyday interactions with objects. Quantum mechanics has enabled us to gain a deeper understanding of everything from the metabolic processes that occur in our bloodstreams to the electric batteries that power our cars and computers, and has led to numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including the development of lasers and semiconductors.

The discovery of quantum mechanics has revolutionized our understanding of the natural world, and yet it wasn’t until 1981 that the renowned physicist Richard Feynman observed that, given the quantum nature of the world, a computer capable of efficiently simulating the natural world would likely need to be a quantum computer.

Over the past decade, Google has made significant strides towards its vision of developing large-scale, error-corrected quantum computers that can solve problems that are currently impossible to tackle. In celebration of World Quantum Day, we’re highlighting three areas where quantum computers have the potential to make a significant impact.

1. Advancements in Medicine

Despite significant progress in medical research, there is still much to be discovered about the complex biological systems that govern the human body. Quantum computers may hold the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of these systems, particularly when it comes to drug design and metabolism. By simulating the interactions between drug candidates and their targets, as well as other biological molecules, quantum computers may help us design more effective treatments and advance medical science. For example, in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, we’ve demonstrated that quantum computers can simulate the structure of Cytochrome P450, a critical enzyme found in humans, with greater accuracy and speed than classical computers.

2. Improved Battery Technology

The world’s energy needs are growing, and the ability to store energy efficiently is becoming increasingly important. We’re exploring the potential of quantum computers to help design new materials, such as those used in batteries. For instance, in collaboration with the chemical company BASF, we’ve investigated the potential of quantum computers to simulate the behavior of Lithium Nickel Oxide (LNO), a material used in batteries. By improving our understanding of LNO’s chemistry, we may be able to develop more efficient and sustainable battery technologies.

3. New Energy Sources

Fusion energy, the power source that fuels the stars, has the potential to provide clean and abundant energy. However, designing the necessary reactors requires sophisticated computational models that can accurately simulate the behavior of materials under extreme conditions. Current models are often inaccurate and require significant computational resources. In collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, our researchers have demonstrated that a quantum algorithm run on a fault-tolerant quantum computer can more efficiently simulate the mechanisms needed for sustained fusion reactions, bringing us closer to realizing the potential of fusion energy.

These advances in medicine and energy have the potential to be truly transformative, and yet they may only scratch the surface of what is possible with quantum computing. Given the complexity of this technology, it’s likely that quantum computing will enable solutions to problems that we haven’t yet even considered. Realizing the full potential of quantum computing will require progress across the entire stack, including the development of better qubits, improved quantum error correction, and the creation of new quantum algorithms. This is a collective effort, and we’ll continue to work with partners in academia, industry, and the public sector to create the most advanced quantum computing system in the world.