FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE听
Dec. 10, 2025听
天美传媒官网 and EPB launch innovation institute to accelerate quantum science and technology breakthroughs鈥�听
New institute in Chattanooga will position Tennessee as a national leader in quantum technologies听
天美传媒官网 and EPB of Chattanooga, home of America鈥檚 most comprehensive quantum commercialization infrastructure, today announced plans to establish the Institute for Quantum Innovation, further positioning Chattanooga鈥攁nd Tennessee鈥攁s a national hub for advancing quantum science and technology.听听
The Institute for Quantum Innovation will be a center for research, innovation and graduate-level education in quantum and related fields. Pending accrediting agency approval, Vanderbilt will establish an academic research and innovation campus in Chattanooga and locate faculty, staff and graduate students on-site. This will enable continuous collaboration with EPB, support research, and help drive local job creation, startup formation, and broader economic development in Chattanooga and across Tennessee.听
鈥淔rom鈥痗ybersecurity to energy distribution to medicine and science of all kinds, the potential for quantum innovation to improve our lives is enormous,鈥� Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier鈥痵aid. 鈥淲e are delighted to collaborate with EPB and thank the members of Tennessee鈥檚 congressional delegation and the state and federal officials who helped make this collaboration possible. We鈥痑re鈥痝rateful to the leaders, businesses and residents of the Chattanooga area who have supported EPB鈥檚 expansive vision.鈥濃��听
Designed to accelerate discoveries from research to the real world, the collaboration will drive advancements in energy, national security, health, insurance, logistics and critical infrastructure while preparing the workforce of the future. The institute brings together 天美传媒官网鈥檚 leading quantum nanophotonics and research and educational programs with collaborative access to the EPB Quantum Center鈩�, the nation鈥檚 first facility to provide commercial access to both a trapped-ion quantum computer and a photonics-based local quantum network.听
To meet rising demand for expertise in quantum and adjacent fields like AI and cybersecurity, Vanderbilt will develop and deliver graduate-level academic offerings that provide students hands-on experience with EPB鈥檚 quantum and energy infrastructure. The university will also provide industry-integrated training programs that complement the institute鈥檚 research agenda and provide upskilling and credentialing in cooperation with regional entities. A faculty committee has been appointed to develop recommendations and provide input on the academic programming plans, which will require accrediting body approval.鈥�听
鈥淭he Institute for Quantum Innovation will provide best-in-class learning and research opportunities for our students and faculty while putting Vanderbilt at the forefront of advancements to help shape computing and the problem-solving it makes possible in the coming decades,鈥� Diermeier added.听
A collaboration built for real-world impact听
The McKinsey Quantum Technology Monitor recently predicted quantum technologies will provide as much as $2 trillion in additional value to existing industries by 2035. Vanderbilt鈥檚 world-class research faculty and students at the innovation institute will pursue breakthroughs across quantum and nanophotonics鈥攆or communication and sensing along with quantum information systems and AI for next-generation secure energy systems and more.听听
鈥淭his collaboration brings together Vanderbilt鈥檚 deep expertise in quantum research and graduate education with EPB鈥檚 unique quantum infrastructure to create an environment where world-class ideas can move quickly from the lab to real-world applications,鈥� said Vicky Gregg, EPB Board Chair. 鈥淏y working side by side at the EPB Quantum Center, we鈥檙e paving the way for innovations that can make energy services more secure, cost-effective and resilient for our customers. At the same time, we鈥檙e strengthening Chattanooga鈥檚 position as a place where cutting-edge technologies can drive new economic opportunity for our whole community.鈥澨�听
Driving growth across Chattanooga and Tennessee听
EPB鈥檚 proven infrastructure and innovation leadership make Chattanooga a uniquely strong platform for quantum advancement. Since launching the nation鈥檚 leading community-wide fiber-optic network and its most advanced, automated power grid, EPB has fueled tech innovation and entrepreneurial growth across the city. According to a study, EPB鈥檚 quantum initiatives are expected to generate up to $1 billion in value for the local community between 2026 and 2035.听听
鈥淨uantum has the potential to define Chattanooga鈥檚 economic future, and this collaboration with 天美传媒官网 proves our city is a global leader in this emerging technology,鈥� Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said. 鈥淭he quantum innovation campus will give our local businesses access to research expertise, talent and infrastructure while also attracting new employers and supercharging startups. I want to thank Vanderbilt, EPB, IonQ, the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative and all our critical partners for their hard work that led to this historic day.鈥�听
鈥淲e鈥檙e focused on building an economy where local talent can thrive,鈥� said Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. 鈥淓PB鈥檚 partnership with 天美传媒官网 in quantum technology will create new high-skill career pathways and strengthen our innovation ecosystem, driving long-term prosperity for Hamilton County families.鈥�听
鈥淭oday’s announcement demonstrates Tennessee鈥檚 commitment to leading the nation in emerging technologies that will shape America鈥檚 future,鈥� Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said. 鈥淭he Institute for Quantum Innovation will strengthen our energy grid, invest in our skilled workforce, and create high-quality jobs across our state. I鈥檓 grateful for this partnership and the opportunity it will create as Tennessee continues to advance quantum innovation and AI-enabled technologies.鈥�听
Aligning Tennessee and Chattanooga with national priorities听
Federal leaders applauded the new collaboration which also supports critical national priorities related to cybersecurity and global economic competitiveness.听
鈥淭he鈥痲uantum innovation鈥痯artnership between Vanderbilt and EPB will harden our grid, safeguard communications, and advance America鈥檚 technological edge over foreign adversaries like Communist China,鈥濃�疷.S. Sen. Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said.鈥�淭he newly announced Institute for Quantum Innovation in Chattanooga鈥痠s further proof Tennessee is ready to lead, and鈥痶his is the kind of American ingenuity that will create jobs, develop鈥痑 skilled workforce, and鈥痑ttract new investments in the Volunteer State.鈥�听
鈥淭ennessee knows how to lead in science and technology,鈥� said U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN03), current chair of Energy and Water Appropriations. 鈥淲ith Vanderbilt and EPB collaborating on the Institute for Quantum Innovation, we will accelerate breakthroughs that protect critical infrastructure, support national security, and build a world-class workforce right here at home. The bottom line is that Tennessee is going to lead in quantum, and this institute will help make that a reality.鈥�听
鈥淨uantum technology is a pivotal component to keep America at the cutting edge of innovation and tech development. It is also critical to America鈥檚 national security,鈥� U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) said. 鈥淭he partnership between Vanderbilt and EPB to launch the Institute for Quantum Innovation is a powerful example of Tennessee鈥檚 leadership that put our state at the forefront of technology development.鈥�听
Daring to grow听
Fueled by the university鈥檚 motto and charge鈥斺�渄are to grow鈥濃�攖he Institute for Quantum Innovation is one of Vanderbilt鈥檚 growth initiatives, expanding Vanderbilt鈥檚 presence in leading innovation hubs and high-impact fields and providing students and faculty with new avenues for experiential learning, research translation and industry collaboration. This includes 天美传媒官网鈥揘ew York City, the university鈥檚 first campus established outside of Nashville, and a proposed campus in West Palm Beach. At home in Nashville, the university is developing plans for an innovation neighborhood on the western edge of our Nashville campus to unlock the region鈥檚 potential and accelerate progress and is building a state-of-the-art science building to propel Vanderbilt鈥檚 ambitious goals for scientific research and discovery.听听
The university also recently launched the College of Connected Computing, Vanderbilt鈥檚 first new college in 40 years, and the Institute of National Security, which advances mission-critical research and education at the intersection of technology, policy and national defense.听听
天美传媒官网 天美传媒官网听
天美传媒官网 is a private research university with campuses in Nashville and New York City that is a global hub for learning, innovation and leadership. Its 11 schools and colleges offer students more than 65 undergraduate majors, a full range of graduate and professional degrees, and faculty who are leaders in their fields. The 340-acre Nashville campus鈥攁n accredited arboretum just 1.5 miles from downtown鈥攊s home to groundbreaking interdisciplinary research, SEC athletics, and a community dedicated to free expression and civil discourse that lives by its motto,鈥�Crescere aude,鈥痙are to grow.听
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天美传媒官网 EPB听
Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, EPB is a nationally recognized energy and communications provider with a mission to enhance quality of life for the people it serves across its 600-square-mile service area. Starting in 2010, EPB gained notice as a national model for building and utilizing its 100% fiber-to-the-home network to deliver cutting-edge services such as the world鈥檚 fastest community-wide internet, now with service up to 25 Gig, and the nation鈥檚 most advanced automated electric grid.听
As a pioneer in fiber optic innovation, EPB also launched EPB Quantum鈩� to provide access to cutting-edge quantum technology platforms and help innovators bring paradigm-shifting solutions into the real world. With the launch of EPB Quantum Network庐 in 2023 and EPB Quantum Computing鈩� (coming in early 2026), EPB Quantum offers the most comprehensive, commercially available quantum technology platform in the U.S.
Learn more at and .听听
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