Feenstra, Stevens Introduce Legislation to Streamline Fertilizer Production and Apply the Power of Quantum Computing to Main Street America
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the Quantum in Practice Act, which would amend the National Quantum Initiative Act to include quantum molecular simulations and modeling in federal scientific research. More specifically, quantum molecular simulations and modeling will allow experts to study chemical elements and reactions with impressive accuracy.
This new research on molecules can then be used to develop new materials and manufacture complex chemical reactions beneficial to a plethora of economic sectors.
Alongside House Science, Space, and Technology Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), U.S. Reps. Young Kim (R-CA), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Tom Kean (R-NJ), Joseph Neguse (D-CO), and Jeff Jackson (D-NC) are original cosponsors.
U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.
“From fertilizer production to materials manufacturing, quantum computing has the untapped potential to lower input costs for our farmers, improve energy storage, and produce more effective medications for patients,” said Rep. Randy Feenstra. “I’m proud to introduce the Quantum in Practice Act to ensure that our main streets, farmers, and small businesses can realize the real benefits of quantum computing, not just in theory, but in practice. Thanks to scientific ingenuity, there is boundless opportunity for our rural communities to harness the power of quantum computing to strengthen our agricultural sector, streamline fertilizer production, and enhance our way of life in the 4th District.”
“Since we passed the National Quantum Initiative Act in 2018, we’ve made significant advances in our quantum information science capabilities,” said Rep. Frank Lucas, Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. “We’ll be reauthorizing this legislation this year, and we want to account for these enhanced capabilities and ensure that we’re harnessing this technology in ways that provide real-world applications. Rep. Feenstra’s bill to account for quantum molecular simulations and modeling is an important update to this legislation that will help us understand materials and chemical interactions at a level of detail that has never before been possible. The potential technological innovations that will come from this knowledge will benefit industries from agriculture to energy to medicine. I appreciate his work on this bill and I’m proud to join him in sponsoring this forward-looking legislation.”
“Quantum computing is identified as a critical emerging technology because it has the power to change how we view the world’s biggest economic, societal and national security issues,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “Being able to simulate models with quantum’s level of insight and granularity all at once across millions of industries’ variables will allow us to answer questions once assumed unanswerable. That is why I am joining my colleagues in introducing the Quantum in Practice Act, to unlock the game-changing promises of quantum computing.”
“Quantum simulations are able to model interactions at the sub-molecular level and create a cost-effective alternative to the expensive development of new fertilizers, medications, protective equipment, and more. As we secure our competitive advantage in the 21st Century, we must support the cutting-edge research that will revolutionize Indiana’s agriculture and pharmaceutical industries. The Quantum in Practice Act would help ensure that American researchers and industries can pursue practical applications to advance quantum technologies,” said Senator Todd Young.
“As breakthroughs in quantum computing emerge, we must ensure that American industries keep up and can access the technologies they need to create innovative and next-generation materials,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The Quantum in Practice Act would expand opportunities for Main Street and our scientific community to use cutting-edge technologies in pursuit of safer medicines, improved energy storage, better protective gear, stronger conductors, and more tools that will be vital to our future economy and national security. I’m proud to join Rep. Feenstra in this effort and will always be a loud voice for American innovation.”
“We must be willing to fully invest in quantum research and development to maintain our competitive edge in science and technology. It's also imperative we are properly positioning ourselves for the next major advancements to benefit the United States. The Quantum in Practice Act will help spur breakthroughs in computing, communication, and national security, positioning us for success in the 21st century,” said Rep. Nancy Mace.
“Investing in quantum computing technology is essential for our farmers and producers to stay on the leading edge of innovation,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. “I’m proud to co-sponsor the bipartisan Quantum in Practice Act that will keep America on the leading edge.”
“I fully support the Quantum In Practice Act based on decades of experience and the priorities I have laid out for my constituency in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. Quantum computing serves a dual-use purpose for both commercial and national security, and remains a top of mind policy for this legislative session,” said Rep. Brandon Williams.
“Simple and commonsense solutions are often hard to come by on Capitol Hill,” said Rep. Byron Donalds. “This is why I am proud to join Rep. Feenstra in reintroducing legislation to include quantum molecular simulations and modeling in federal scientific research. Embracing innovative technologies ensures a better future for tomorrow and I am proud to stand with my colleagues on the forefront of scientific breakthroughs.”
“Discoveries from using quantum computing could protect our law enforcement and military, develop better energy storage capacity, and create more effective medications. The results of this research could be life-changing for Americans,” said Rep. Jeff Jackson. “I’m happy to join Reps. Feenstra and Stevens to champion American innovation into these transformative materials.”
This legislation also enjoys broad support from the academic and business community:
“Quantum simulation allows us to use well controlled quantum entities studied in laboratories – for example atoms, photons or solid state qubits --- to simulate a very diverse variety of quantum systems ranging from black holes to quantum materials, and even realize new forms of quantum matter not occurring naturally or hard to make otherwise. Some of these novel quantum matters may in turn offer new platforms for quantum information,” saidYong Chen, Karl Lark-Horovitz Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Director of the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute, Purdue University.
“Indiana University would like to thank Senator Young and Representative Feenstra very much for their efforts to elevate the profile of Quantum Simulation in revisions to the National Quantum Initiative. While the world waits for the much-anticipated realization of general purpose Quantum Computers in the future, researchers at IU and elsewhere are already using Quantum Simulation to understand the properties of quantum materials and complex chemical reactions. We are delighted to see recognition for this important quantum technology,” saidFred Cate, Indiana University Vice President for Research.
“We are grateful for Senator Young's continued leadership in advancing America's innovation ecosystems and ensuring federal policies keep pace with technological discovery. Quantum technologies will enable both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The proposed legislation will help ensure our nation's researchers and innovators truly realize the transformational potential,” saidRobert Bernhard, Notre Dame Vice President for Research.
“The Quantum in Practice Act is a great first step toward updating the National Quantum Initiative Act to provide additional focus on the applied sciences for the government’s quantum efforts,” said Allison Schwartz,VP Global Government Relations and Public Affairs for D-Wave. “Additionally, the U.S. Government must collaborate with industry to identify the complex public sector problems that can be addressed today by quantum computing applications using currently available quantum technology.”
“The Quantum in Practice Act rightfully focuses quantum use case development on molecular modeling and simulation. This area is the most likely to demonstrate the earliest Quantum Advantage for solving problems of significant importance to our citizens. Infleqtion fully endorses this act and the positive impact it will have on accelerating societal, government, and commercial value and return on investment,” saidDr. Bob Sutor, Vice President and Chief Quantum Advocate, Infleqtion.
The potential scientific discoveries across industries and sectors include, but are not limited to:
- Fertilizer - Modeling the nitrogen fixation process utilized by bacteria, which could be used to develop synthetic fertilizers without the high energy and material costs of current methods, creating the next generation of fertilizers;
- Safer Medicines - Creating more effective medications and reducing harmful interactions or side effects;
- Energy Storage - Developing new materials to increase energy storage capacity and create more powerful battery technologies;
- New Metals - Developing lighter, stronger metals;
- Protective Gear - Creating materials for more durable protective gear for law enforcement and military; and
- Conductors - Developing new types of superconductors.
You can find legislative text HERE.
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