Extraordinary Meeting of the 203rd Session (2023-2024)
Dr Rene Steijl
On Monday 18th December 2023, at 7pm
In recent years Quantum Computing has developed into a very active area of research. This global research effort aims to create a new generation of computers and computer applications where by exploiting features of quantum mechanics computational capabilities are realized that are not achievable on state-of-the-art classical high-performance computers. Starting in the 1990s, most of the theoretical work focussed initially on algorithms for factoring integers (relevant for cryptography) and search operations in data sets. In the early 2000s, the first small-scale quantum computers were demonstrated with three qubits, far too small for practically relevant applications. In 2023, the largest quantum computer realized (IBM's Osprey) has 433 qubits. Considering this rapid development in quantum computing hardware, quantum algorithms for a wider range of applications are now the subject of a large-scale multi-disciplinary research activity. In this presentation, we will mainly explore the work related to engineering simulations, in particular Computational Fluid Dynamics. This will highlight key remaining challenges as well as future prospects.
Rene Steijl obtained an engineering degree (Aerospace Engineering) from Delft University of Technology and his PhD from the University of Twente. Following a lecturer position at University of Liverpool, he joined the University of Glasgow as a Senior Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering in 2015. His main research interest is the development and application of novel methods for Computational Fluid Dynamics. Starting in 2017, his research work has included investigations into quantum computing for Computational Fluid Dynamics applications.
The meeting will be opened with a short presentation from Ann-Kathrin Hofmann, winner of the 2023 RSSA Travel Scholarship, who will talk about the special project she undertook during the summer: “The synthesis of a novel nitroxide, and analysis by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy”.