Quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithms

Recently our faculty received funding from Ministry of Education and Research for 8 PhD positions. We are happy to announce that one of these will be allocated to a quantum-related topic. The project is lead by Kazi Shah Nawaz Ripon. We let him explain what it is about:

Quantum-inspired evolutionary algorithms (QEAs) are a type of optimization tool that have gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to solve complex problems more efficiently than traditional methods. QEAs use principles from quantum mechanics, such as qubits, superposition, entanglement, interference, coherence, and measurement, to improve their performance. However, most existing QEA implementations are designed for specialized quantum hardware, which is inaccessible to general users. Moreover, while traditional QEAs are effective for solving single-objective problems, most real-world optimization problems involve multiple interdependent objectives. Therefore, our aim is to develop a novel multi-objective QEA specifically designed for classical computing environments so that industries can use it to optimize their operations more efficiently. Ultimately, the goal is to advance optimization methodologies and facilitate broader access to cutting-edge problem-solving techniques in academic and industrial settings.

Exciting podcast: Kvantespranget/The Quantum Leap

Ina von Turow, entrepreneur and quantum enthusiast, has, for a long time now, contributed actively to the campaign for making Norway quantum ready. Her latest contribution in this regard is a podcast in Norwegian: Kvantespranget – a podcast where experts and other enthusiasts share thoughts and opinions on our quantum future. A version in English, the Quantum Leap, is to follow.

The OsloMet quantum hub is a proud contributor when it comes to quantum technology. Sølve Selstø from the hub has already been interviewed by Ina – not just about the 2nd quantum revolution but also the 1st.

Tune in here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2KMFutqODbVFmIXw0cdfjo

Family day, April 21st

Sunday April 21st employees at the Oslo Metropolitan University had a very nice opportunity to give the rest of their families an impression of what goes on at their workplace. A lot of people, both young and old, found their way to Pilestredet 35 (P35), where they got served muffins, buns, chocolate milk, coffee and 3D printed pancakes. They also got to play with lots of fun and advanced toys. Among the activities where

  • playing Beat Saber with VR goggles,
  • creating funky beats and loops – and have small robots play them,
  • constructing and shipping off small, rubber band driven boats,
  • climbing the high wall in P35,
  • making customized stickers and buttons.

And, last but not least, the visitors got to play Quantum Moves and program our first quantum computer Hugin – under the attentive guidance of our own Quantum Hub and ACIT master student Suleman Hersi.

Chances are that our familiy members are left with the impression that we who work at OsloMet are actually payed play all day. On a good day, that impression isn’t all wrong, I guess.

Again, we thank the Makerspace for putting together a wonderful event.

Read more about it here:

https://ansatt.oslomet.no/en/siste-nytt/-/nyhet/familiedag-til-inspirasjon-for-store-og-sma

Quantum Adjustments

Until recently we were not aware about ongoing quantum initiatives at the Norwegian Metrology Service (Justervesenet – JV). But then we got a pleasent e-mail from Susmit Kumar from JV’s Electricity group informing us about their mandate regarding accurate SI values of voltage, resistance, and current.

During a very pleasent day-long meetup Thursday 11th of April, we got to learn about their plans and ongoing work. And they learned about the scope of our hub, which includes precisely this kind of activity.

Right side: Susmit Kumar, Pascal Sado, Lars Kristian Skaar and Bjørnar Karlsen from the Norwegian Metrology Service. Our own Maryam Lotfigolian and Aleksandar Davidov, left side, gave a very interesting presentation on their work on routing optimization using quantum annealing for Ruter.

In particular, we were quite impressed by their work on Josephson junctions. If there were any doubt about the relevance of quantum technology when it comes to high precision metrology at JV, these doubts certainly evaporated during these hours together. And their ambitious plans for further quantum research would only seem natural.

We are looking forward to collaborations – both in research and education.

Yet another flight with Bendiksen Airways

It was a pleasure for us to welcome podcast host Alexander Bendiksen at our hub once again. Clearly, some of our quantum fascination has rubbed off on him!

Please tune in to his new podcast episode here (in Norwegian):

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2jazRXMbyzgrre5dJUEXXP?si=fa3028bf608b4c52&nd=1&dlsi=4abac97f7b834f72

And do check out the other interesting episodes as well! About half of them are dedicated to training and football, while the rest is about everything else. Perhaps philosophy is the closest you get to a common denominator here?

Several people have been given the chance to share their thoughs through Alexander’s microphone, including bishop Kari Mangrud Alvsvåg, biologist Dag O. Hessen, bicyclist Mads Kaggestad, expert on international law Cecilie Hellestveit and our own expert on transhumanism Anders Braarud Hanssen.

Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences gets a visit

It was a true pleasure when the Hub was contacted by Arnstein Wee, from the Stavanger-branch of Norges tekniske vitenskapsakademi, the Norwegian Academy of Technological Sciences. He wanted to hear more about quantum computing. Of course, asking a quantum hubber whether she or he would like to talk quantum, is a bit like asking “is the pope catholic?”. Yes!

Arnstein Wee and a creative picture of a quantum processor.

The turnout at the gathering, March 20th was impressive. And so was the interest and quality of questions posed by the attentive audience. A true pleasure!

When yours truly is given a microphone and asked to talk about an interest close to heart, chances are that the sum of the many words which come out at a rather high pace, combined with the many, many slides, can be quite overwhelming. With this in mind, I am particularly thankful for the hospitality and the enthusiasm I was met with.

Visit from Akademiet

It was true pleasure to host the Agora class from Akademiet Bislet Wednesday March 6th.

Fifteen eager and attentive learners found their way to our hub, where they heard about quantum theory and technology. And more importantly: The got to do it. They did so by solving the Schrödinger equation – analytically and numerically. And they were acquainted with our quantum computers Hugin and Munin – in addition to doing some quantum gaming.

Andre showing how to solve the Schrödinger equation.

We, the hosting scientists, Andre, Sergiy and Sølve, were all impressed – and challenged – by the questions we were asked. Impressive.

Andre and Sergiy sharing thoughts on the perks of being a scientist.

We also hope that some of the pupils were a little bit impressed – and tempted – by what we can offer at OsloMet. Perhaps some of them will apply to our newly established bachelor program in Mathematical modelling and data science, which Kristoffer presented towards the end of the program.

Kristoffer Helton making a strong case for why taking a bachelor in mathematical modelling could be a good idea.

Although a bit weary with several oddities to digest, we do hope that our guests found this encounter with the quantum world to be an all together pleasant one.

Girls & Tech

We are really proud about having been a part of the Jenter og teknologi gathering held at Chateau Neuf February 15th.

Maryam Kaviani, along with Kersti Fosse Blålid and Notto Thelle from the OsloMet Makerspace and people from the University of Oslo, made it all happen.

About 400 girls from various videregående skoler was registered. They were given the chance to hear several impressive woman working within diverse fields related to technology. Their message was clear: We need more girls to choose a technological education!

At the event several technology oriented educations at the University of Oslo and at OsloMet presented themselves at various stands. At one of these our own quantum tech girls Ankana Singha and Maryam Lotfigolian were found – along with our two-qubit Hugin quantum computer. It was a true pleasure to see how they were approached by many aspiring young tech-savvy girls. The quantum tech future looks bright!

Kvantefysikk for nyfikne

Vi synest kvantefysikk og kvanteteknologi er alt for viktig og forunderleg til å vere ei greie for spesielt interesserte. Men mykje av det ein lærer om kvante-verda legg opp til å ha lag på lag med matematikk-kurs på førehand. Det ønsker vi å gjere noko med.

Til hausten startar vi opp eit kurs som har som mål å gi alle interessesrte ein introduksjon til kvanteverda:

https://www.oslomet.no/om/nyheter/derfor-vite-meir-om-kvanteverda

Matematikk- eller programmerings-erfaring er inga føresetnad. Gjennom presentasjonar, diskusjonar, demonstrasjonar og intuisjonar håpar vi at dei som deltar sit att med eit visst bilde av korleis mikrokosmos er skrudd saman – og korleis dette blir brukt – og vil bli brukt – teknologisk. Stikkord: Kvantedatamaskinar.

Kurset er på 5 studiepoeng, og vi har plass til 20 nyfikne studentar.