• Learn more about The Day Tomorrow Began

The Day Tomorrow Began: Quantum Technology

Quantum Technology

In the early 20th century, UChicago scientists advanced our understanding of quantum mechanics—the laws that govern the smallest particles. Nearly 100 years later, scholars are working to harness those laws for groundbreaking technologies—from ‘unhackable’ communication networks to powerful new computers.

Quantum technology has the potential to change everything from medicine to communications to business. The field taps the bizarre laws of quantum mechanics in order to create technology and devices with new abilities—like sensors that could detect earthquakes before they strike, communication networks that are virtually unhackable, or computers that could point the way to new pharmaceutical drugs or solar panels.

But at the turn of the century, we only had the faintest inklings of the atomic world. Throughout the 20th century, physicists around the world—including such eminent University of Chicago scientists as Arthur Compton, Robert Millikan, and Enrico Fermi—defined the field of quantum mechanics. These are the laws that govern the smallest of particles, and they are strange compared to our everyday world: particles can go through walls, exist in two places at once, and change their state when observed.

But no one knew how to harness these laws of nature.

Then, in 2011, the University took the bold step of establishing the first school of molecular engineering in the nation. It was instrumental in defining the field of quantum engineering.  Today, the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering brings together experts from academia, industry, and the U.S. national laboratories, to accelerate the pace of discoveries and bring them quickly to the market.

“The pace of discovery right now is extraordinary,” said David Awschalom, the Liew Family Professor in Molecular Engineering and Physics at the University of Chicago, director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange, and director of Q-NEXT, a Department of Energy National Quantum Information Science Research Center at Argonne National Laboratory. “Every day we push the boundaries of what is currently possible. We expect this to be a paradigm shift in science—one that will have transformational benefits for technology, the economy and society.”

Big Brains podcast

Big Brains podcast: The beginning of our quantum future

Profs. David Awschalom and Supratik Guha discuss UChicago’s rich history of scientific discovery in quantum research—and the potential of this exciting new technology.

Listen to the episode here

Quantum technology

The quantum internet, explained

Experts say we will soon need a quantum internet that can send, compute, and receive information encoded in quantum states. But what will this network look like, and how soon will it be here?

Read the explainer here

Top Research

Quantum flute

UChicago scientists invent ‘quantum flute’ that can make particles of light move together

Quantum network

Chicago expands and activates quantum network, taking steps toward a secure quantum internet

A closeup of a scientist's hands, wearing rubber gloves, at work in the lab of Chong Liu at UChicago

Two UChicago scientists awarded 2022 Early Career Awards from Department of Energy

Illustration of a new quit platform, showing a red block of solid neon

New qubit platform could transform quantum information science and technology

David Awschalom reflected in mirrors set up in his lab at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering celebrates first class of quantum Ph.D. graduates

Explore more topics in the series

Learn about the monumental breakthroughs at the University of Chicago and the people behind them.

— First nuclear reaction

— Carbon Dating

— Cancer Research

— Social Work

— Economics

— Sleep research

— Quantum technology

— Ancient civilizations

— Black holes

— The Day Tomorrow Began website

Learn more about UChicago's global impact

Wide-angle photo of gigantic detector equipment at CERN

Field-defining research

Learn about how UChicago scholars are shaping fields and tackling the world's biggest problems.

Nuclear Energy sculpture by Henry Moore

UChicago breakthroughs

Trace impactful research and discoveries through a timeline that shows UChicago’s scholarly impact in the world.

Prof. Ted Fujita in his lab next to a machine that simulates a small-scale tornado

UChicago Explainer Series

Explore ideas pioneered at the University—and how its scholars are shaping our understanding of the world.

Wendy Freedman recording an episode of Big Brains

Big Brains podcast

Listen to the stories behind pioneering research and pivotal breakthroughs by scholars at UChicago and beyond.

Campus rooftops

UChicago News

Explore the latest stories about University research, its dynamic intellectual community and more.

University of Chicago

Office of Communications

5801 S. Ellis Ave., Suite 120, Chicago, IL 60637

(773) 702-8360

news@uchicago.edu

  • University of Chicago homepage
  • Office of Communications Staff Directory
  • Brand & Identity Guidelines
  • Accessibility

© 2025 University of Chicago - All Rights Reserved