PASQAL, a full stack manufacturer of neutral atoms quantum processors, says it is collaborating with BASF for weather and other computational fluid dynamics applications. BASF is exploring how PASQAL’s proprietary quantum algorithms could one day be used to predict weather patterns. The learnings from the project reportedly can build a foundation for future extensions of PASQAL’s methods to support climate modeling.
Physics-based weather models are highly complex as they incorporate data on winds, heat transfer, solar radiation, relative humidity, terrain topology and many other parameters. Weather forecasting therefore requires solving complex sets of nonlinear differential equations. According to Hyperion Research, 5% of global high-performance computing investments are focused on weather modeling. BASF uses parameters generated by the weather models to simulate crop yields and growth stages as well as to predict drift when applying crop protection products. They also form the basis of BASF's digital farming product portfolio including xarvio Field Manager, a crop optimization platform.
“PASQAL’s quantum solutions are ideal for simplifying BASF’s complex computational simulations once quantum hardware matures to a point where we can actually leverage these algorithms,” says Dr. John Manobianco, senior weather modeler at BASF’s agricultural solutions division, in a press release from the company. “Leveraging PASQAL’s innovation for weather modeling validates quantum computing’s ability to go beyond what can be achieved with classical high-performance computing. Such transformational technology can help us prepare for climate change impacts and drive progress toward a more sustainable future.”
PASQAL aims to solve the underlying complex nonlinear differential equations in a novel and more efficient way by implementing so-called quantum neural networks on its neutral atom quantum processors. The classical equivalent of this approach is physics informed neutral networks (PINN) which are used broadly by leading scientists and technology corporations in weather and climate modeling. For instance, NVIDIA recently announced its new Earth-2 AI supercomputer for climate prediction, which leverages PINNs.
Read the press release at www.basf.com
