Scholars at the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have unveiled an innovation that brings artificial intelligence (AI) closer to quantum computing – both physically and technologically.

A research team from the Department of Physics at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and their collaborators have recently developed a novel algorithm in quantum physics known as ‘entanglement microscopy’ that enables visualisation and mapping of this extraordinary phenomenon at a microscopic scale. By zooming in on the intricate interactions of entangled particles, one can uncover the hidden structures of quantum matter, revealing insights that could transform technology and deepen the understanding of the universe.

A collaborative research team led by Prof. Junwei Liu, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and Prof Jinfeng Jia and Prof Yaoyi Li from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), has identified the world’s first multiple Majorana zero modes (MZMs) in a single vortex of the superconducting topological crystalline insulator SnTe and exploited crystal symmetry to control the coupling between the MZMs.

Engineering researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have successfully developed a quantum microprocessor chip for molecular spectroscopy simulation of actual large-structured and complex molecules, a world-first achievement. Capturing these quantum effects accurately requires meticulously developed simulations that account for quantum superposition and entanglement, which are computationally intensive to model classically.

A research team from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is working on a new quantum electron microscope (QEM) to eliminate interaction between the electron beam and sample. At this stage, the team is using partial key components of QEM to design a compact hybrid transmission and scanning electron microscope that can operate at room temperature, ushering in a new era for electron microscopes. The CityUHK team plans to manufacture and commercialise this groundbreaking innovation within three years.

Cells rely on constant interplay and information exchange with their micro-environment to ensure their survival and perform biological functions. Hence, precise quantification of tiny cellular adhesion forces, spanning from piconewtons to a few nanonewtons, is crucial for understanding the intricacies of force modulation in cells.