Insider Brief
- EPB of Chattanooga and Vanderbilt University introduced plans to set up the Institute for Quantum Innovation, positioning Chattanooga and Tennessee as a nationwide hub for quantum analysis, commercialization and workforce improvement.
- Vanderbilt plans to find college, workers and graduate applications on a brand new Chattanooga campus to allow steady collaboration with EPB and supply hands-on entry to the EPB Quantum Center’s trapped-ion quantum laptop and native photonics-based quantum community.
- The institute will give attention to translating quantum analysis into real-world functions throughout power, nationwide safety, well being, logistics and important infrastructure whereas supporting job creation and regional financial development.
PRESS RELEASE — EPB of Chattanooga, house of America’s most complete quantum commercialization infrastructure, and Vanderbilt University right this moment introduced plans to set up the Institute for Quantum Innovation, additional positioning Chattanooga—and Tennessee—as a nationwide hub for advancing quantum science and know-how.
The Institute for Quantum Innovation can be a middle for analysis, innovation and graduate-level schooling in quantum and associated fields. Pending accrediting company approval, Vanderbilt will set up an educational analysis and innovation campus in Chattanooga and find college, workers and graduate college students on-site. This will allow steady collaboration with EPB, help analysis, and assist drive native job creation, startup formation, and broader financial improvement in Chattanooga and throughout Tennessee.
“From cybersecurity to energy distribution to medicine and science of all kinds, the potential for quantum innovation to improve our lives is enormous,” Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier mentioned. “We are delighted to collaborate with EPB and thank the members of Tennessee’s congressional delegation and the state and federal officials who helped make this collaboration possible. We are grateful to the leaders, businesses and residents of the Chattanooga area who have supported EPB’s expansive vision.”
Designed to speed up discoveries from analysis to the actual world, the collaboration will drive developments in power, nationwide safety, well being, insurance coverage, logistics and important infrastructure whereas getting ready the workforce of the longer term. The institute brings collectively Vanderbilt University’s main quantum nanophotonics and analysis and academic applications with collaborative entry to the EPB Quantum CenterSM, the nation’s first facility to present industrial entry to each a trapped-ion quantum laptop and a photonics-based native quantum community.
To meet rising demand for experience in quantum and adjoining fields like AI and cybersecurity, Vanderbilt will develop and ship graduate-level tutorial choices that present college students hands-on expertise with EPB’s quantum and power infrastructure. The college can even present industry-integrated coaching applications that complement the institute’s analysis agenda and supply upskilling and credentialing in cooperation with regional entities. A college committee has been appointed to develop suggestions and supply enter on the educational programming plans, which would require accrediting physique approval.
“The Institute for Quantum Innovation will provide best-in-class learning and research opportunities for our students and faculty while putting Vanderbilt at the forefront of advancements to help shape computing and the problem-solving it makes possible in the coming decades,” Diermeier added.
A collaboration constructed for real-world affect
The McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor not too long ago predicted quantum applied sciences will present as a lot as $2 trillion in extra worth to present industries by 2035. Vanderbilt’s world-class analysis college and college students on the innovation institute will pursue breakthroughs throughout quantum and nanophotonics for communication and sensing together with quantum info methods and AI for next-generation safe power methods and extra.
“This collaboration brings together Vanderbilt’s deep expertise in quantum research and graduate education with EPB’s unique quantum infrastructure to create an environment where world-class ideas can move quickly from the lab to real-world applications,” mentioned Vicky Gregg, EPB Board Chair. “By working side by side at the EPB Quantum Center, we’re paving the way for innovations that can make energy services more secure, cost-effective and resilient for our customers. At the same time, we’re strengthening Chattanooga’s position as a place where cutting-edge technologies can drive new economic opportunity for our whole community.”
Driving development throughout Chattanooga and Tennessee
EPB’s confirmed infrastructure and innovation management make Chattanooga a uniquely robust platform for quantum development. Since launching the nation’s main community-wide fiber-optic community and probably the most superior, automated energy grid, EPB has fueled tech innovation and entrepreneurial development throughout the town. According to a peer-reviewed examine, EPB’s quantum initiatives are anticipated to generate up to $1 billion in worth for the local people between 2026 and 2035.
“Quantum has the potential to define Chattanooga’s economic future, and this collaboration with Vanderbilt University proves our city is a global leader in this emerging technology,” Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly mentioned. “The quantum innovation campus will give our local businesses access to research expertise, talent and infrastructure while also attracting new employers and supercharging startups. I want to thank Vanderbilt, EPB, IonQ, the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative and all our critical partners for their hard work that led to this historic day.”
“We’re focused on building an economy where local talent can thrive,” mentioned Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. “EPB’s partnership with Vanderbilt in quantum technology will create new high-skill career pathways and strengthen our innovation ecosystem, driving long-term prosperity for Hamilton County families.”
“Today’s announcement demonstrates Tennessee’s commitment to leading the nation in emerging technologies that will shape America’s future,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee mentioned. “The Institute for Quantum Innovation will strengthen our energy grid, invest in our skilled workforce, and create high-quality jobs across our state. I’m grateful for this partnership and the opportunity it will create as Tennessee continues to advance quantum innovation and AI-enabled technologies.”
Aligning Tennessee and Chattanooga with nationwide priorities
Federal leaders applauded the brand new collaboration which additionally helps crucial nationwide priorities associated to cybersecurity and international financial competitiveness.
“The quantum innovation partnership between Vanderbilt and EPB will harden our grid, safeguard communications, and advance America’s technological edge over foreign adversaries like Communist China,” U.S. Sen. Blackburn (R-Tenn.) mentioned. “The newly announced Institute for Quantum Innovation in Chattanooga is further proof Tennessee is ready to lead, and this is the kind of American ingenuity that will create jobs, develop a skilled workforce, and attract new investments in the Volunteer State.”
“Tennessee knows how to lead in science and technology,” mentioned U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN03), present chair of Energy and Water Appropriations. “With Vanderbilt and EPB collaborating on the Institute for Quantum Innovation, we will accelerate breakthroughs that protect critical infrastructure, support national security, and build a world-class workforce right here at home. The bottom line is that Tennessee is going to lead in quantum, and this institute will help make that a reality.”
“Quantum technology is a pivotal component to keep America at the cutting edge of innovation and tech development. It is also critical to America’s national security,” U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) mentioned. “The partnership between Vanderbilt and EPB to launch the Institute for Quantum Innovation is a powerful example of Tennessee’s leadership that put our state at the forefront of technology development.”
Daring to develop
Fueled by the college’s motto and cost—“dare to grow”—the Institute for Quantum Innovation is one among Vanderbilt’s development initiatives, increasing Vanderbilt’s presence in main innovation hubs and high-impact fields and offering college students and college with new avenues for experiential studying, analysis translation and {industry} collaboration. This consists of Vanderbilt University–New York City, the college’s first campus established exterior of Nashville, and a proposed campus in West Palm Beach. At house in Nashville, the college is growing plans for an innovation neighborhood on the western fringe of our Nashville campus to unlock the area’s potential and speed up progress and is constructing a state-of-the-art science constructing to propel Vanderbilt’s bold targets for scientific analysis and discovery. The college additionally not too long ago launched the College of Connected Computing, Vanderbilt’s first new school in 40 years, and the Institute of National Security, which advances mission-critical analysis and schooling on the intersection of know-how, coverage and nationwide protection.