VTI Quantum Lab

The TPM Faculty aims to play an important role in this development of quantum technologies. The TPM Faculty is in the upcoming years extending its unique theoretical framework of approaching technology development as the creation of socio-technical systems and studying it through the lenses of systems, governance and values. Making this TPM approach available to the development of quantum technologies, supports research at TPM on its framework and helps creating socially responsible and successful applications of quantum technologies.

Means

The Quantum Lab realizes this vision by creating an organization for:

enlarging the number of TPM researchers who work on quantum technologies;
supporting TPM researchers in research and education on quantum technologies;
building up an integrated systems, governance and values knowledge base for quantum technologies.

Projects

HAPKIDO

The HAPKIDO project stands for Hybrid Approach for quantum-safe Public Key Infrastructure Development for Organizations. The project is a five-year initiative that aims to deliver sector-based plans towards quantum-safe Public Key Infrastructures (QS PKIs), including hybrid PKIs that demonstrate how QS solutions will work with existing infrastructures, and governance models that guide organizations towards a QS future.

The project lays a foundation for creating a sense of urgency and stakeholder engagement by delivering Societal Impact Assessment methods for quantum computing and identifying appropriate IT-governance mechanisms for migrating towards QS PKIs. Moreover, a transition roadmap by means of a growth model and a self-assessment instrument will be developed to guide organizations to move toward QS PKIs. Quantum Lab at TPM presents opportunities to share knowledge and engage conversations with researchers who are working on different topics in quantum computing technology.

More information

Ethics of Quantum Technology

The ethics of quantum technology group of the Ethics and Philosophy of Technology section of the VTI department of TPM does research along four lines:

Exploration of the ethical and societal issues related to quantum technologies, focussing on issues that emerge when these technologies are integrated in existing socio-technical systems
Methods of design for values and responsible research and innovation within the emerging geopolitical strategies around quantum technologies
The enigmatic character of quantum technologies and approaches that enable non-physicist stakeholders to understand and co-shape these technologies
Transparency and accountability of quantum computing algorithms

The group is headed by Pieter Vermaas and will grow to one additional senior researcher, a postdoc researcher and three PhD candidates. Luca Possati has joined for the postdoc position.
The group is part of the ELSA Action line of the Quantum Delft NL programme on developing quantum technologies within the Netherlands.

More information

Seed funding

The Quantum Lab at TPM has as its goal to bring the integrated systems, governance and values perspective of TPM into the development of quantum technologies. We aim to enlarging the number of TPM researchers who work on quantum technologies and offer support in terms of meetings, talks and overviews of existing research on quantum technologies.

Postdoc research positions

We can also help TPM researchers who wish to start (new) research on quantum technologies or create new project proposals by offering research time through the hiring of temporary postdoc researchers or student assistants.

Please contact the board if you are interested in these possibilities or have other proposals for support that can help you take up research on quantum technologies.

TPM publications

Coenen, C., Grinbaum, A., Grunwald, A., Milburn, C., & Vermaas, P. (2022). Quantum Technologies and Society: Towards a Different Spin. NanoEthics, 16(1), 1–6.
Kong, I., Janssen, M., & Bharosa, N. (2022). Challenges in the Transition towards a Quantum-safe Government. DG.O 2022: The 23rd Annual International Conference On Digital Government Research.
Van Heesch, M., and P. Vermaas (2022). Hoe kan Nederland ten volle profiteren van de toekomstige quantumcomputers? iBestuur nieuwsbrief, 3 februari 2022.
Vermaas, P.E., D. Nas, L. Vandersypen, D. Elkouss Coronas (2019). Quantum Internet: The Internet’s Next Big Step (Delft: TU Delft)
Vermaas, P.E., M. Wimmer, D. Lomas, C.G. Almudever and G. Scappucci (2022). Quantum Computing: From Hardware to Society (Delft: TU Delft)
Vermaas, P. E. (2017). The societal impact of the emerging quantum technologies: a renewed urgency to make quantum theory understandable. Ethics and Information Technology, 19(4), 241–246.
Vermaas, P. E. (2005). Technology and the Conditions on Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 56(4), 635–661.
Seskir, Z.C., Umbrello, S., Coenen, C., & Vermaas, P.E. (2022). Democratization of Quantum Technologies.

Courses

TPM405A - Patent Law and Patent Policy
MOT2421 - Emerging and Breakthrough Technologies
TN0339 - Quantum technologie and responsible innovation

Contact

For general inquiries, open applications and internships:
quantumlabfortpm-VTI@tudelft.nl

For more information contact:
Lab manager: Pieter Vermaas
Assistant: Sara Buhktari