Volkswagen experts have succeeded in simulating industrially relevant molecules using a quantum computer. The advance, which could play an important role for the development of high-performance electric vehicle batteries, saw the VW team successfully simulate molecules such as lithium-hydrogen and carbon chains. The experts will now work on more complex chemical compounds. In the long term, VW’s goal is to simulate the chemical structure of a complete electric vehicle battery on a quantum computer as part of the OEM’s objective to develop a tailor-made battery –a configurable chemical blueprint that is ready for production. Volkswagen is presenting its research work connected with quantum computing at the CEBIT technology show, held this week in Hannover, Germany.
“We are focusing on the modernization of IT systems throughout the Group”, says Martin Hofmann, CIO of the Volkswagen Group. “The objective is to intensify the digitization of work processes – to make them simpler, more secure and more efficient and to support new business models. This is why we are combining our core task with the introduction of specific key technologies for Volkswagen. These include the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, as well as quantum computing.”
Using newly developed algorithms, Volkswagen experts’ long-term goal is to simulate the chemical composition of a battery on the basis of different criteria such as weight reduction, maximum power density or cell assembly, and provide a design which could be used directly for production. This would help significantly accelerate the battery development process, which has been time-consuming and resource-intensive to date.
“We are working hard to develop the potential of quantum computers for Volkswagen. The simulation of electrochemical materials is an important project in this context,” says Florian Neukart, principal scientist at Volkswagen’s CODE Lab in San Francisco, California. “In this field, we are performing genuine pioneering work. We are convinced that commercially available quantum computers will open up previously unimaginable opportunities. We intend to acquire the specialist knowledge we need for this purpose now.”
Highly specialized IT experts from Volkswagen, including data scientists, computer linguists and software engineers, are working together at the IT labs in San Francisco and Munich to develop the potential of quantum computers for applications which will be beneficial for the company. The main focus is on the programming of algorithms on quantum computers. These are subject to different laws than conventional computers. In the field of quantum computing, Volkswagen Group is collaborating with Google and D-Wave, who provide the Volkswagen experts with access to their systems.
