ExxonMobil has signed a partnership agreement with IBM to advance the potential use of quantum computing in developing next-generation energy and manufacturing technologies. As part of the agreement, they become the first energy company to join the IBM Q Network. This is a worldwide community of Fortune 500 companies, startups, academic institutions, and national research labs including Mitsubishi Chemicals, Cern openlab, and MIT, working to advance quantum computing and explore practical applications for science and business.

ExxonMobil hopes that quantum computing will allow them to address computationally challenging problems across many applications, including the potential to optimize a country’s power grid, to increase the efficiency of the manufacturing process, and to discover new materials for more efficient carbon capture. They think that innovations outside their industry such as quantum computing and three-dimensional printing are helpful to their business. The company currently works with about 80 universities in the United States, Europe, and Asia to exchange ideas and collaborate and to explore next-generation energy technologies.

• ExxonMobil, Irvong, TX, USA
• IBM, Armonk, NY , USA