Project qFLOW kick-offs in Dresden
qFLOW stands for Quantum-Accelerated Solutions for Fluid Dynamics and Environmental Systems. The project aims to enable better simulations of complex flow processes – a boon for environmental, water, and climate research.
Quantum computing is widely regarded as one of the most promising emerging technologies, with the potential to enable breakthrough innovations across science and industry. To accelerate the development of practical applications, the Helmholtz Association launched the “Quantum Use Challenge”, an initiative designed to bring together technology developers and domain scientists and to foster quantum-enabled solutions for real-world problems.
Additional information:
Dr. Werner Dobrautz
Young Investigator
Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) at HZDR
Press contact:
Dr. Martin Laqua
Officer Communications, Press and Public Relations
Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) at HZDR
Demonstration of OpenFOAM-Hybrid for a water jet striking a filled water tank. Image: F. Schlegel/HZDR
Within this framework, two institutes of Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding and the Institute of Fluid Dynamics have joined forces with UFZ Leipzig on the user side and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) and DESY on the developer side. Together, the partners form the consortium behind qFLOW, one of four projects selected for funding through the Quantum Use Challenge. The project aims to explore the application of quantum-computing methods to coupled fluid-transport phenomena, including groundwater reservoir dynamics and multiphase flow processes.
The participants of the meeting at HZDR’s conference building. Image: J. Wilhelm/HZDR
The official qFLOW kick-off meeting took place from June 16 to 18, 2026, at HZDR in Rossendorf and was hosted by the Institute of Fluid Dynamics at HZDR in collaboration with CASUS. The event began with a dedicated school, where project partners provided introductory lectures to establish a common understanding among quantum-computing developers and application experts.
On the second day, internationally renowned researchers working at the interface of quantum computing and computational fluid dynamics presented the latest developments and research perspectives in the field. The final day focused on project-specific discussions, scientific exchange, and the planning of future research activities within the consortium.
By bringing together experts from quantum technologies, fluid dynamics, and high-performance computing, the qFLOW kick-off meeting marks the starting point of a collaborative effort to unlock the potential of quantum computing for challenging fluid-flow applications.
Additional information:
Dr. Werner Dobrautz
Young Investigator
Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) at HZDR
Press contact:
Dr. Martin Laqua
Officer Communications, Press and Public Relations Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) at HZDR