Airbus, BMW Group, and Quantinuum, world leaders in mobility and quantum technologies, have taken a quantum leap towards revolutionizing fuel cell technology.
The trio has successfully developed a hybrid quantum-classical workflow that aims to accelerate future research using quantum computers to simulate intricate quantum systems, with a primary focus on enhancing the efficiency of fuel cells by studying the chemical reactions of catalysts.
The research venture primarily revolves around understanding the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) occurring on the surface of platinum-based catalysts within fuel cells. The ORR is a crucial process in fuel cells, where hydrogen and oxygen combine to produce water and electricity. However, the reaction is relatively slow and requires a considerable amount of platinum catalyst, which limits the overall efficiency of fuel cell systems. By unraveling the underlying mechanisms of the ORR, the collaboration aims to identify alternatives that can enhance performance and reduce production costs, thus making fuel cells a more viable and sustainable energy solution.
Hydrogen is emerging as a promising energy source for low-carbon and sustainable mobility. As the world moves towards cleaner transportation solutions, the efficient conversion of hydrogen to electricity is critical for wide-scale adoption. The electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction poses a significant bottleneck in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). To overcome this hurdle, the collaboration aims to develop new cathode materials, and quantum computing presents a powerful tool for computational design and simulations in this endeavor.
Computational design of new catalysts and accurate atomistic-level modeling of complex catalysis processes have traditionally been challenging tasks for classical computers. However, the rapid advances in quantum computing offer new opportunities. The joint effort by Airbus, BMW, and Quantinuum represents the first classical/quantum computational study of the ORR, showcasing the applicability of quantum computing methods to complex catalysis problems. The study demonstrates the feasibility of such a workflow, implemented using the state-of-the-art InQuanto and the H1-1 trapped-ion quantum computer.
The collaboration’s successful modeling of the ORR using quantum computing brings the concept of “quantum advantage” into focus. Quantum advantage refers to the potential breakthroughs achieved by harnessing the unique properties of quantum systems that classical computers cannot emulate. Accurately simulating complex chemical reactions like the ORR is a perfect example of the kind of challenges that quantum computing can potentially overcome.
Airbus, a key player in the aviation industry, recognizes the transformative potential of hydrogen-powered aircraft to achieve sustainable aviation. The company aims to develop the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft for market entry by 2035. Quantum computing’s ability to accelerate material simulations and improve fuel cell efficiency holds significant promise for the development of advanced propulsion systems, like hydrogen-powered fuel cells, in the aviation sector.
The collaboration between Airbus, BMW, and Quantinuum opens up exciting avenues for sustainable innovation. By continuing to explore the potential of quantum computing to address relevant industrial challenges, the trio aims to drive advancements in fuel cell technology, energy efficiency, and ultimately contribute to a greener and more sustainable future for mobility.
