# Oak Ridge Lab Demonstrates Quantum Computing for Fusion

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Cleveland Clinic, and IBM used quantum-centric supercomputing to calculate nine molecular configurations of FLiBe, a candidate molten-salt material for producing tritium for fusion reactors. The research supports DOE’s Genesis Mission and points to future R&D needs in quantum computing, AI, and high-performance computing. The report identifies no solicitation, contract award, funding amount, or procurement contact, so it signals a research and technology direction rather than an active contracting opportunity.

- The work demonstrates a potential application of quantum computing to fusion-materials research, relevant to organizations developing quantum, AI, and high-performance computing capabilities.
- Companies can use the identified R&D needs to assess whether their technologies and research capabilities align with future DOE-related work; the signal does not provide a specific procurement path or timeline.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Energy & Utilities
**Published:** October 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- DOE Office of Science (Office of Science)

### Vendors
- IBM (Research collaborator)

### Key Quotes
> These results add to mounting evidence that quantum-centric supercomputing is now a practical scientific tool for problems that have long challenged chemists, engineers and materials scientists.
> — Jerry Chow, CTO of Quantum-Centric Supercomputing, IBM

### Sources
- [Oak Ridge National Lab, Cleveland Clinic, and IBM achieve first-known computations of fusion materials on a quantum computer – Oak Ridge National Lab](https://www.ornl.gov/news/oak-ridge-national-lab-cleveland-clinic-and-ibm-achieve-first-known-computations-fusion/) - ORNL