Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university founded 1636 in Cambridge Massachusetts. Central to Harvard quantum initiatives is Harvard Quantum Initiative uniting researchers from various disciplines to advance quantum science and engineering. In September 2025, a team of Harvard physicists led by Mikhail Lukin (Joshua and Beth Friedman University Professor) achieved a historic breakthrough by building the first quantum computer that can operate continuously for over 2 hours without restarting, published in Nature. The system operates an array of more than 3,000 qubits (neutral atoms) and theoretically could continue indefinitely, representing a massive improvement over existing quantum computers that typically run for milliseconds or at most 13 seconds. The breakthrough was achieved by replenishing qubits in real time, injecting new atoms at a rate of 300,000 per second using an optical lattice conveyor belt system to counteract atom loss and maintain quantum information, with over 50 million atoms cycled through the system during the two-hour demonstration. This transformative achievement demonstrates that quantum computers capable of running forever in practice are now just three years away (down from five+ years previously), marking a critical milestone toward practical, continuously operating quantum computing systems. Harvard Quantum Initiative is one of strongest in country heavily focused on quantum networking quantum chemistry and quantum materials research. Harvard conducts quantum research spanning quantum processors quantum algorithms quantum communication networks quantum simulation and quantum sensing. The university maintains partnerships with leading quantum companies including QuEra Computing and government agencies. Harvard serves quantum research community through fundamental quantum research quantum education programs and technology transfer advancing quantum information science and quantum technology commercialization supporting USA quantum leadership.