IonQ, a specialist in trapped-ion quantum computing, and Hyundai Motor Company announced a partnership to develop new variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) algorithms to study lithium compounds and their chemical reactions involved in battery chemistry.
The companies said quantum powered chemistry simulation is expected to significantly enhance the quality of next generation lithium batteries by making improvements to the devices’ charge and discharge cycles, as well as their durability, capacity and safety.
The partnership pairs IonQ’s expertise in quantum computing and Hyundai’s expertise in lithium batteries. The teams are creating the most advanced battery chemistry model yet developed on quantum computers, measured by the number of qubits and quantum gates.
IonQ and Hyundai are laying the foundation to create better quality batteries by more precisely simulating and controlling their chemical reactions. This research has the potential to lead to new types of source material that save time, cost, and effort, a critical advancement as batteries are typically the most expensive component of an electric vehicle (EV).
“This creative collaboration with IonQ is expected to provide innovation in the development of basic materials in virtual space for various parts of the future mobility,” said TaeWon Lim, EVP and head of the Materials Research & Engineering Center at Hyundai Motor Group.
Peter Chapman, president and CEO of IonQ, said: “Battery efficiency is one of the most promising emerging areas where quantum computing can make a difference.”