Clemson, SC, May 18, 2026 -- Clemson University is advancing South Carolina’s quantum research capacity through a $650,000 initiative supporting the Scalable High-Performance and Quantum Computing Systems Lab (ScaLab), an effort focused on improving how quantum programs are optimized and executed on real hardware.

Led by Dr. Rong Ge, ScaLab focuses on improving how quantum software runs on real machines. Quantum computers operate very differently from traditional systems, and writing programs that perform efficiently on physical devices remains a central challenge in the field. The lab develops tools that help adapt software to the unique constraints of quantum hardware, improving reliability and performance in real-world settings.

The project supports core research, talent development, and statewide capacity building. Of the total investment:

$250,000 supports graduate and undergraduate research within ScaLab, enabling hands-on work in quantum computing and machine learning tied directly to active research outputs.

$150,000 funds multi-year Quantathon events over a three-year period, creating structured, applied learning environments where students engage real computational challenges aligned with emerging quantum and hybrid systems research.

$250,000 establishes a Statewide Student Quantum Club with sustained funding over a projected seven- to eight-year runway, creating a durable network that connects students, faculty, and institutions while strengthening long-term participation in quantum research and workforce pathways.

The initiative builds on South Carolina’s earlier statewide investment in quantum information science and technology. In 2023, state leaders committed $15 million to coordinate quantum readiness across institutions and industries. ScaLab reflects a continued shift toward sustained, project-based research that strengthens technical depth while building the human infrastructure necessary for long-term quantum capability in the state.

“As quantum hardware matures, performance increasingly depends on how well software is adapted to the physical system. By integrating physics-informed machine learning into the compilation process, we are improving how quantum programs run in practice while training students to contribute meaningfully to this rapidly evolving field,” said Dr. Rong Ge, Director of ScaLab.

Through research collaboration and statewide engagement, ScaLab positions Clemson as a contributor to the evolving software and systems layer of quantum computing while strengthening South Carolina’s quantum ecosystem.