Quantum Power for Innovation
AkzoNobel and Microsoft take quantum leap to fast track innovation
AkzoNobel and Microsoft have partnered to see how quantum computing can help accelerate the development of high-performance, environmentally friendly paints and coatings.
Both parties’ scientists will collaborate to create what will essentially be a virtual laboratory. The goal is to use quantum computing and other Microsoft Azure cloud services to conduct experiments.
Chemical reactions can be simulated with unprecedented accuracy using quantum chemical computation. Microsoft and AkzoNobel will collaborate to see how collaborative experimentation and development can help them create more advanced and sustainable products.
“This is a really exciting partnership which has the potential to be truly groundbreaking,” says Klaas Kruithof, AkzoNobel’s Chief Technology Officer. “We’re incredibly proud to partner with Microsoft and investigate how we can take our digital research into a new dimension.
Innovation demands collaboration and this is a fantastic way for us to keep pushing boundaries so we can make a sustainable and long-lasting difference to our customers and the planet.”
Adds Dr. Matthias Troyer, Distinguished Scientist in Microsoft’s Azure Quantum program: “The promise of quantum computing and other Azure services to accelerate solving chemistry and materials problems – and their associated workloads – is immense. We’re thrilled to partner with AkzoNobel to drive new value and deliver world-changing impact.”
Quantum chemistry has game-changing applications and possibilities in industry. Many of the practical constraints associated with traditional laboratory methods, such as raw material availability, physical equipment capacity constraints, toxicity, and environmental conditions, could be overcome with it.
As a result, the time it takes to find substitute ingredients for making products more sustainable, adding new functionalities, or replacing scarce raw materials could be drastically reduced.
“Combining our track record for pioneering product development with Microsoft’s cloud and quantum computing expertise represents another huge step forward in the digitization of our research,” explains Pim Koeckhoven, Technology Director in Research and Development at AkzoNobel.
“Up until now, the quality of traditional computer simulations hasn’t been up to the task. Microsoft’s Azure Quantum system offers incredible opportunities for us to take our research into an entirely new digital realm and speed up the development of new novel catalysts and chemical reactions.”
