Student Activities

A central aspect of our work is working with undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Visit to Barcelona Supercomputing Centre: Centro Nacional de Supercomputación

On Thursday 13th March, members of the Observatory of Quantum Technology were invited to a seminar and discussion at the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre. Following the discussion, we were shown around the various and were given the opportunity of discussing the challenges and potentials of super and quantum computing with those scientists and technicians involved in their operation, maintenance and experimentation.

The reflections of two of our student members Alba Falcón Roy and Alberto Marquillas Marsá are published below.

Quantum Chapels

By Alba Facón Roy

On March 13th 2025, we had the opportunity to visit the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) to attend a talk about the current and potential uses of quantum software and hardware. Following the talk and discussion, we were given a tour of the facilities, where we able to see the centre's two supercomputers (and several older versions) as well as its quantum computer. One particularly striking aspect of the tour was that the quantum computers at BSC is inside a nineteenth century chapel. The contrast between old architecture and cutting-edge computational systems was powerful and reminded us that the buildings and architecture in which computers are stored are as much a part of the technological system as the chips and processors themselves.

As an electronic engineering student, however, I was amazed by the electronics inside a quantum computer. Seeing firsthand the complexity of the circuits and the extreme precision required to maintain the cryogenic conditions for its operation was both impressive and striking. Every component, from quantum chips to thermal isolation systems, showcases the incredible level of innovation that is transforming computing in ways previously unimaginable.

One of the main points made by our host - the centre's leading researcher Artur García-Saez - was that quantum computing systems are indeed remarkable but also in an early and open-ended stage of development These advancements highlight the importance of research and investment in technology and made it inspiring to be involved in discussions about its potential direction and impact.

Beyond Physics: Reflections on Quantum Computing

By Alberto Marquillas Marsá

My experience at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center as a telecommunications engineer has been fascinating. During the talk on quantum music, I realized that technological advances not only solve complex problems but may also help us understand fundamental aspects of human nature, such as creativity. This connection between science and art made me reflect on how technology can expand the limits of our perception and understanding. From a technical perspective, quantum computing is a much broader and more challenging field than I had imagined. Before this experience, I saw it as a purely physical concept, but now I understand that it requires a multidisciplinary effort to turn its principles into real applications. Quantum computers rely not only on quantum mechanics but also on engineering, computer science, and information theory. It also relies on controlling external impacts, like ambient temperatures, the rumbling of trains and the potential disturbance of humans, It has become clear to me that their development will be the result of collaboration across multiple disciplines.

After the visit, I left with the strong sensation that we are on the brink of a new technological era, but also what that new era will be is being made in the present. Beyond its technical complexity, I am amazed by its potential impact on how we understand creativity, information, and even knowledge itself.

This experience has confirmed to me that quantum computing is not just a promise for the future but a reality in the making. Its progress will not depend solely on physics or computer science but on the convergence of multiple fields. Being in contact with experts and innovative ideas has inspired me to continue exploring this field and to reflect on how engineering can contribute to its evolution.