UCLA Quantum Innovation Hub Director Jason Petta (center) with Remy Hiramoto and Makan Mohageg of Boeing on the roof UCLA’s Research Park (photo credit Jason Petta) Established to foster collaboration across disciplines and sectors, UCLA’s Quantum Innovation Hub (QIH) brings together researchers from universities, industry, government agencies and startup companies in a shared environment designed to accelerate discovery and technology translation. Building on UCLA’s longstanding leadership in quantum science and engineering, the QIH creates new opportunities for multidisciplinary research, workforce development and the commercialization of emerging technologies.
UCLA’s Quantum Innovation Hub (QIH) has welcomed Boeing as an industry partner, marking an important milestone in the university’s effort to accelerate the development of next-generation quantum technologies through collaboration among academia, industry and government.
The partnership will focus on advancing quantum networking technologies, including experimental hardware and system design that can help move quantum communications from laboratory research toward practical applications. It also represents the first major industry collaboration launched through the Quantum Innovation Hub, which will be housed at the UCLA Research Park.
“Since day one, Boeing has been steadfast in its commitment to participate in the Quantum Innovation Hub,” said Jason Petta, director of UCLA’s Quantum Innovation Hub. “I am delighted to welcome Boeing into the UCLA Wilshire Center and look forward to expanding the partnership at the UCLA Research Park.”
Quantum networking seeks to enable highly secure communications while connecting future quantum computers across long distances, opening new possibilities for computing, sensing and information security. Through the partnership, Boeing and UCLA researchers will develop technologies that advance quantum networks, including experimental systems designed to improve secure communications and future quantum connectivity. Initial efforts include developing an entanglement-swapping testbed and conducting quantitative studies that will help guide the design of future quantum communication networks.
“The industry-academia partnership advances quantum networks, network security and connectivity,” said Chee Wei Wong, UCLA professor of electrical and computer engineering and co-director of the Quantum Innovation Hub.
The collaboration builds on years of investment that have established UCLA as a leader in quantum science and engineering. Researchers across the UCLA Division of Physical Sciences and the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering are advancing discoveries in quantum computing, communications, sensing and materials while training the next generation of scientists and engineers. The QIH extends that foundation by creating a dedicated environment where researchers can work alongside industry and government partners to accelerate innovation.
The partnership also advances the broader vision for the UCLA Research Park, which is being transformed into a center for collaborative research, technology development and entrepreneurship.
“It is envisioned that the empty former mall will be remade into a state-of-the-art research and innovation hub that will bring scholars from UCLA and from other higher education institutions, industry partners, research institutions, government agencies and startup companies together to explore new areas of inquiry and achieve breakthroughs to enrich our global society,” said Hal Monbouquette, Special Advisor for the UCLA Research Park. “The long-term benefits of the Park will be transformative intellectually and economically for UCLA, the Los Angeles community and California.”
As the QIH welcomes additional academic, government and industry collaborators, it will continue expanding opportunities for researchers to translate fundamental discoveries into technologies with real-world impact while strengthening Southern California’s growing quantum innovation ecosystem.