Our Research Capabilities
Quantum Information Sciences at Tennessee Tech brings together complementary strengths in quantum networking, secure communications, advanced computing and specialized research infrastructure. Through established research centers, specialized computing resources and federally supported projects, the university is advancing quantum information science and engineering across three interconnected areas.
With an engineering-focused approach, Tennessee Tech emphasizes the design, integration, testing and validation of experimental systems to address the technical challenges of emerging quantum technologies. These capabilities support interdisciplinary research, collaboration and student engagement.
Quantum Networking and Secure Communications
Tennessee Tech's Cybersecurity Education, Research and Outreach Center (CEROC) advances research in secure quantum networks, quantum cryptography and the cybersecurity challenges associated with emerging quantum technologies.
CEROC's research includes entanglement distribution and routing in quantum networks, quantum identity authentication, applied quantum cryptography, and adapting classical cybersecurity infrastructure to support quantum cryptographic protocols. The center also investigates quantum machine learning for security applications and the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
Through federally funded research, academic partnerships and student engagement, CEROC is contributing to the development of secure quantum communications while helping prepare the next generation of researchers and cybersecurity professionals.
Explore CEROC Quantum Research
Advanced Computational Systems
Tennessee Tech's Advanced Scalable Computing, Extreme Networks and Data (ASCEND) center advances research in high-performance computing, advanced networking, scalable systems and quantum information science. Its work brings together expertise in computational science, communication technologies and complex computing systems to address emerging research challenges.
The university's GENESIS high-performance computing system expands these capabilities by providing computational resources for artificial intelligence, scientific modeling and simulation, including quantum computer simulation. These resources enable researchers to investigate computationally intensive problems and explore the relationships between classical and emerging quantum computing technologies.
Together, ASCEND's research expertise and GENESIS's computational infrastructure strengthen Tennessee Tech's capacity for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of advanced computing, networking and quantum information science.
Experimental Quantum Systems and Infrastructure
Tennessee Tech is developing specialized experimental infrastructure to support the design, integration, measurement and validation of quantum communications technologies beyond individual laboratory environments.
The federally funded Quantum Cookeville–Crossville project will establish an entanglement-based quantum communications testbed between geographically separated locations in Tennessee.
The planned system will integrate entangled-photon sources, single-photon detectors, polarization stabilization, precision timing and synchronization and classical network control and monitoring capabilities.
Its experimental infrastructure is designed to support the measurement of quantum network performance, including entanglement fidelity, timing accuracy and system stability under real-world operating conditions.
The project will provide a platform for future research and educational activities involving quantum communications and networked quantum systems.
EXPLORE QUANTUM COOKEVILLE–CROSSVILLE
Quantum Education and Workforce Development
Tennessee Tech connects its quantum research activities with undergraduate and graduate education, experiential learning and workforce development.
Through faculty-led research and initiatives such as the National Science Foundation-funded EQUIS project, the university has supported quantum coursework, student research and educational activities that introduce emerging quantum technologies and their applications.
Students have also participated in developing hands-on educational resources, including a quantum key distribution demonstration platform and interactive learning tools designed to make quantum concepts more accessible.
As new research infrastructure becomes available, Tennessee Tech expects to expand opportunities for students to work with specialized equipment, investigate quantum network behavior and gain experience with the technical challenges of emerging quantum systems.
These efforts help prepare students for research and careers in computing, communications, cybersecurity and quantum-related fields.
