Tanya Weaver Mon 16 Mar 2026
Collected at: https://eandt.theiet.org/2026/03/16/uks-most-powerful-quantum-computer-heading-cambridge
A 256-qubit quantum computer housed at the University of Cambridge is set to ‘supercharge’ quantum research in the UK.
In partnership with US quantum technology firm IonQ, the project will see the first commercial-scale quantum computer installed at a UK university. The system will be housed in the new IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre located on campus and marks the university’s largest-ever corporate research partnership.
“This is a true partnership, with long-term investment, shared research and co-development in all areas of quantum technology, bringing together physics, engineering, medicine, computer science, policy and more,” said Professor Mete Atatüre, head of the Cavendish Laboratory, the physics department of the University of Cambridge.
As part of the collaboration, Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency and part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), will provide access and computing time for UKRI’s National Quantum Computing Centre over three years. This will enable researchers and early-stage companies from across the UK to make use of its computing power.
Quantum computers, like classical computers, are problem-solving machines. But instead of bits, quantum computing uses qubits, which can process data like traditional bits but have access to more complex mathematics for a different type of computation. They are expected to be able to solve problems that are out of reach of the most advanced high-performance computers available today.
It is envisaged that shift from lab-scale systems towards commercially useful quantum computers could help ‘supercharge’ the pace of discovery in a number of areas, including ultra-secure communication networks, record-breaking quantum sensors and developing drugs and diagnosing disease.
The partnership aims to bring researchers across multiple disciplines, industry partners, end users and policy experts together from the outset to ensure scientific and technological advances are rapidly translated into real-world solutions.
“By establishing the IonQ Quantum Innovation Centre, we are strengthening the bridge between academic discovery and commercial quantum advantage. We believe this partnership will contribute meaningfully to the UK to help advance scalable quantum computing, networking, sensing and security,” said Niccolo de Masi, chairman and CEO of IonQ.
“This partnership cements the UK’s credentials as a world leader in quantum. It will help deliver new breakthroughs to some of our most pressing shared challenges while supporting more academics, PhD students and researchers in the process – ensuring we have a rich pool of quantum talent for years to come,” said science minister Lord Vallance.
The quantum computer will be managed by Cambridge Enterprise, the university’s innovation arm. Researchers working in quantum science and technology from across the university will be able to make use of the quantum computer once it is fully operational.
In the November/December 2025 issue of E+T we took a deep dive into quantum computing and looked at how the foundations for real machines are finally coming together.
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