2025: Year of Quantum
How physics at the smallest scales impacts materials, human health, computing, communications and more
“What can quantum computing do for scientific computing?”
Presented by Xiantao Li
Professor of Mathematics
February 8, 2025
100 Thomas Building
11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Quantum computing is naturally suited for simulating quantum dynamics, leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to solve problems at the electronic level. But what if these remarkable capabilities could extend beyond the quantum realm? In this talk, Li will demonstrate the groundbreaking potential of quantum computing to tackle challenges in fields outside its natural domain, including lattice dynamics in nanomechanics, fluid dynamics, elastic wave propagation, and chemical reactions. Using minimal technical jargon, the talk will showcase how quantum computing offers the potential for exponential speedups over classical algorithms, paving the way for revolutionary advances in scientific discovery across diverse disciplines.
Xiantao Li is a professor of mathematics at Penn State. He is a co-director of the Center for Computational and Applied Mathematics. His research focuses on quantum computing, open quantum systems, scientific computing and machine learning.