Quantum machine learning models can achieve ‘quantum advantage’ by solving a complex class of mathematical problems that is impossible to crack with a classical computer, according to a new study by UBC researchers from Blusson QMI. The study was published in Nature Communications.

Quantum advantage refers to the instances where quantum computers outperform their classical counterparts when scaling to enormous datasets containing countless variables.

Blusson QMI Investigator Prof. Roman Krems said the results rigorously prove that quantum machine learning does indeed offer the quantum advantage.

“The key goal now is to find a real-world machine learning application that would benefit from this quantum advantage in practice,” said Prof. Krems.


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Blusson QMI is thrilled to announce the appointment of two new members to its International Scientific Advisory Board.

Joining the Blusson QMI Board are Dr. Stephen Bartlett, Professor of Physics at the Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems at the University of Sydney; and Dr. Krysta Svore, General Manager of the Quantum Architectures and Computation (QuArC) group at Microsoft Research.


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The University of Saskatchewan is collaborating with UBC's Blusson QMI in developing new magnetic materials that could bring down the price of technologies, like smartphones and data storage servers.

The new materials are called spinel-type high entropy oxides (HEO). By combining several commonly found metals, such as iron, nickel and lead, researchers were able to design new materials with very finetuned magnetic properties.

A team led by assistant professor Alannah Hallas at Blusson QMI developed and grew the HEO samples in their lab. When they needed a way to study the material more closely, they asked the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan for help.


Read more via Global News here.


Image: Courtesy of CLS.

Dr. James Day, a Research Associate at Blusson QMI, has been awarded an Excellence in Service Award by UBC’s Faculty of Science. The awards were presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Meigan Aronson, in a ceremony held in March 2023.

Dr. Day said he is deeply grateful for the recognition and appreciation that the award represents.

“Learning that I had been selected to receive this award was quite a meaningful experience. It served as a powerful affirmation of the time, energy, and passion that I have invested in serving the QMI community. It feels like validation of the work and dedication that I have put into making a positive impact on the people and causes that I care about,” said Dr. Day.


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Image: Paul Joseph, UBC.

Published by APS Physics as a 'viewpoint' piece, this article by Blusson QMI Principal Investigator Prof. Alireza Nojeh, provides a commentary on a study about Molecular-Orbital Electron Sources.


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Image: Artist’s impression of electron emission via a C₆₀ molecule’s orbitals, JST PRESTO. Courtesy of APS Physics.