# Quantum computing could be a critical climate solution

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2021-12-16
- Length: 51m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution

## Summary

Mark Cupta, a partner at climate-focused venture capital firm Prelude Ventures, argues that quantum computing is a critical enabler for climate change mitigation. He explains that while current noisy intermediate-scale quantum computers are small, they are beginning to solve optimization problems in logistics and simulate complex molecular interactions for material science and synthetic biology. Cupta predicts that within this decade, fault-tolerant quantum computers will accelerate the discovery of new battery chemistries, sustainable polymers, and efficient supply chain optimizations, effectively short-circuiting decades of brute-force research.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution#t=7) Introduction: Mark Cupta and the Promise of Quantum Computing
- [4:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution#t=280) Defining Quantum Computing: Superposition and Exponential Power
- [12:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution#t=767) Current State of Quantum Hardware: NISQ Era and Key Players
- [26:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution#t=1561) Material Science: Simulating Molecules for Batteries and Solar
- [34:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution#t=2047) Synthetic Biology: Designing Enzymes and Biodegradable Polymers
- [39:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution#t=2375) Optimization: Solving Logistics and the Traveling Salesman Problem
- [44:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution#t=2654) Timeline and Future Outlook: When Quantum Will Impact Climate

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Prelude Ventures (company)
- IBM (company)
- Honeywell (company)
- Google (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- IonQ (company)
- Rigetti (company)
- PsiQuantum (company)
- Xanadu (company)
- D-Wave (company)
- Zymergen (company)
- Ginkgo (company)
- Deep Mind (company)
- Q4 Climate (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Queen of Quantum | Space Docs and The Right Stuff | The Best Interviews](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-12-23-the-queen-of-quantum-space-docs-and-the-right-stuff-the-best-interviews) (EE Times Current)
- [344: Superposition, Entanglement, and Interference](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-10-344-superposition-entanglement-and-interference) (Embedded.fm)
- [Quantum Computing: Sci-Fi Technology Requires Real-World Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2024-02-13-quantum-computing-sci-fi-technology-requires-real-world-engineering) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Decapitating Huawei & Recapitating America | Achievable Big Stuff: IBM’s 5 in 5 | How Steve Carlton Got His 300th Win](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-10-02-decapitating-huawei-recapitating-america-achievable-big-stuff-ibms-5-in-5-how-st) (EE Times Current)
- [Ep. 34 | The Latest from the Lab: How IBM Research Is Inventing What's Next](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2021-10-12-ep-34-the-latest-from-the-lab-how-ibm-research-is-inventing-whats-next) (Moore's Lobby)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2021-12-16-quantum-computing-could-be-a-critical-climate-solution. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Catalyst.