BasQ hosts the fourth edition of the Materials Science Quantum Working Group in Donostia–San Sebastián

The Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) hosted the Materials Science Quantum Working Group Meeting 2026 from May 28 to 29, 2026, a high-level technical forum jointly organized by BasQ and IBM.

The fourth edition brought together a select group of researchers, quantum engineers, and computational scientists from some of the most influential institutions in the global scientific and technological landscape: IBM, RIKEN (Japan’s National Institute of Research in Science and Technology), Delft University of Technology, the University of Toronto, and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), among others.

From Hamiltonian simulations to identifying quantum advantage

In previous editions, the working group focused on exploring Hamiltonian simulations applied to materials systems through quantum-centric supercomputing. This year represented a significant expansion of the program’s technical scope, introducing three new high-impact research lines: Quantum Machine Learning (QML), combinatorial optimization using quantum algorithms, and the numerical solution of partial differential equations (PDEs) through hybrid quantum-classical methods.

Throughout the sessions, participants worked on identifying and characterizing concrete use cases in materials science where quantum algorithms could outperform classical state-of-the-art methods—and deliver a quantum advantage—as well as defining the hardware architectures and hybrid quantum-HPC workflows required to achieve it.

The program alternated between expert talks and small-group working sessions and plenary discussions, fostering the transfer of specialized knowledge and the collaborative generation of new research proposals. Notable speakers included Grier Jones (University of Toronto, QML specialist); In-Saeng Suh (senior scientist in quantum-HPC systems at Oak Ridge National Laboratory); Mikel Sanz (Ramón y Cajal researcher at UPV/EHU, presenting on quantum PDE solving); and Ryo Wakizaka (IBM researcher, focusing on quantum-HPC workflow integration).

IBM Quantum System Two

One of the most significant moments of the program was the visit to the IBM–Euskadi Quantum Computational Center, located adjacent to the DIPC facilities.

The closing session, delivered by Sarah Sheldon, Head of Applied Quantum Science at IBM, outlined the group’s future directions and consolidated collaborative projects initiated during the meeting, several of which include plans for scientific publications and the development of technical demonstrations on real quantum hardware platforms.