Finland’s VTT Q50 is bringing quantum computing to today

Developed by Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre in partnership with IQM Quantum Computers, the system represented both a technological leap and a strategic move towards quantum self-sufficiency.

Housed in Espoo, Finland, the VTT Q50 has already been integrated with the LUMI supercomputer – one of the most powerful classical computing systems in the world – opening the door to hybrid quantum-classical workflows. From modelling complex molecules and materials to tackling optimisation challenges across logistics and energy, the system is set to enable a broad spectrum of use cases.

This article examines what the VTT Q50’s capabilities look like in practice and how researchers and industry alike are beginning to make use of this platform.

Applying quantum to the real world today

To showcase VTT Q50’s readily available potential, its launch has been accompanied by targeted pilot projects across domains such as life sciences, fluid dynamics, and green chemistry. The hope with these initiatives is to highlight the maturity of quantum computing today, not as a theoretical practice but as something that can be utilised today.

Molecular simulations for cancer therapy

One of the first notable use cases for the VTT Q50 came with its involvement with Finnish quantum algorithm company, Algorithmiq, which used the VTT Q50 to conduct molecular simulations related to BODIPY dyes – compounds commonly used in photodynamic cancer therapies. The key objective was to accurately compute energy gaps in the molecules, a critical parameter for evaluating how these compounds interact with light. Accurate simulation of these interactions enables better design of photosensitisers for treatments that rely on targeted light exposure to destroy cancer cells. By running algorithms tailored to the VTT Q50’s superconducting qubit architecture, Algorithmiq demonstrated how quantum computing could support the development of more effective and precise therapeutic agents.

Quantum-enhanced fluid dynamics

Quantum engineering firm Quanscient also applied the VTT Q50 to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) – a field that is heavily reliant on large amounts of computational power due to the complexity of simulating how fluids behave under various physical constraints. By offloading parts of the simulation process to quantum hardware, Quanscient aimed to benchmark how hybrid quantum-classical workflows could accelerate problem-solving in fields such as aerodynamics and climate modelling. While the technology is still in the proof-of-concept phase, this experiment illustrated how quantum algorithms could one day reduce computational overhead for large-scale fluid simulations.

Green ammonia and energy modelling

Another application focused on simulating the potential energy surfaces of ammonia molecules—an essential step in understanding and improving the catalytic processes behind green ammonia production. Ammonia is a key component in fertiliser, and more sustainable production methods are critical to reducing its environmental footprint. VTT researchers used the Q50 to model electron interactions within ammonia, supporting the design of low-emission catalytic pathways. This use case reflects broader trends in quantum chemistry, where quantum computers offer advantages in simulating electron correlations that are computationally intensive for classical machines.

Looking ahead

The VTT Q50 is an active demonstration of quantum’s very real applications today, a functional shift in how quantum computing is positioned within European (and wider global) research and industry. By anchoring its use cases in present-day scientific and engineering challenges, the system has moved beyond theoretical interest and into applied relevance. From advancing cancer treatment design to enabling more sustainable chemical processes, the VTT Q50 is offering researchers and businesses a tangible starting point for quantum exploration.

As access to the platform expands through services like VTT QX and integration with the LUMI supercomputer continues to evolve, the expectation is that more organisations will find meaningful ways to test, validate, and refine quantum-assisted workflows. While many challenges remain on the path to full-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computing, the VTT Q50 has already demonstrated that the value of quantum is no longer decades away – it is being built and tested today.