ERFURT_ It is a technology from which diverse uses are hoped for, for example in the deployment of future robots in industry, in the improvement of medicines and cancer therapies, or also in eavesdrop‑secure, encrypted data transmission: According to experts, quantum technologies have manifold potentials that need to be transferred from basic to applied research in the coming years. “Quantum technologies – scientific toy or economically relevant?” – the guest lecture with this title was held today, Monday, 24 April, by Prof. Dr. Andreas Tünnermann, head of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF), within the framework of the 15th Erfurt Technology Dialogue in Erfurt. “The recently opened possibility of controlling individual quanta has multiplied the usage options again”, said the researcher at the conference. “Thus modern economies today face a comparable situation to the 1960s of the last century, when the digital revolution began – we are on the threshold of a new technological revolution.”
It has long been known that quantum technology holds great potential – experts already described the difference between conventional high-performance computers and quantum computers years ago as a “difference between a supersonic jet and a zeppelin”. And development in this field is progressing rapidly. It is therefore no coincidence that quantum technologies were chosen as the topic for this year's Erfurt Technology Dialogue, as this event format aims to provide a platform for discussing current, forward-looking research fields and innovations. “Quantum technologies are a key to the future. By controlling and harnessing quanta, technological developments can be elevated to a new level, for example in the fields of medicine and IT. But this can only succeed if research results can also be transferred into concrete applications. The Erfurt Technology Dialogue is an excellent, proven forum for this, enabling mutual exchange,” said Dr. Katja Böhler, State Secretary for Research, Innovation and Economic Development at the Thuringian Ministry of Economics, in her opening address at the start of the conference. Erfurt's Mayor Andreas Bausewein also addressed the guests with a welcome speech at the COMCENTER Brühl. “The potential of quantum technologies in the areas of communication, computing, sensor technology and imaging dominates the technological debates of the future and offers opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to conquer new markets, to make them future-proof and economically relevant – the future brings us enormous possibilities,” he explained.
Der Vortrag von Prof. Andreas Tünnermann bot den Besucherinnen und Besuchern vielfältige Impulse und Anregungen für eine ausgiebige Diskussion beim abendlichen Get together. Für LEG-Geschäftsführerin Sabine Wösche ist dieses Miteinander eine Voraussetzung für die weitere erfolgreiche wirtschaftliche Entwicklung des Freistaats: „Thüringen hat ein hohes Wachstums- und Innovationslevel – wenn wir das halten und ausbauen wollen, geht das nur gemeinsam. Der TechnologieDialog konnte coronabedingt mehrere Jahre nicht als Präsenzveranstaltung stattfinden, und umso schöner ist es, dass jetzt wieder die Möglichkeit zum persönlichen Gespräch bestand. Die Veranstaltungsreihe wird auch künftig wichtige Plattform für Unternehmer und Forscher sein.“
Background: Erfurt Technology Dialogue
The themed evenings are organized by the Research and Industrial Center Erfurt e.V. (FIZ). The state capital Erfurt, together with the Thuringian Ministry of Economics, Science and Digital Society (TMWWDG) and the LEG Thüringen , supports the annual Erfurt Technology Dialogues. Researchers and business professionals use the opportunity to exchange ideas on current topics. Based on keynote presentations by renowned experts, the lecture series enables all interested participants to learn about new developments and engage in discussion about them.
