Quantum technology may sound like science fiction, but its potential applications in chemical modeling, pharmaceutical research, energy, and other areas are becoming increasingly relevant to chemical engineers.
At the 2026 AIChE Annual Meeting, the inaugural Applications of Quantum Technologies to Chemistry and Chemical Engineering topical, also known as Quantum ChemE, will bring quantum practitioners together with chemical engineers to examine how these fields can address challenges that current technologies cannot solve.
We spoke with Austin S. Lin, Founder and Principal at Toffoli Projects, about why this programming matters, where chemical engineers fit into the growing quantum landscape, and what attendees can expect. Lin also leads the U.S. National Committee to the IEC/ISO Joint Technical Committee on Quantum Technologies and serves as a Director on AIChE’s Chemical Engineering Technology Operating Council.
Quantum ChemE is making its Annual Meeting topical debut this year. Why is now the right time to introduce programming focused on quantum technologies?
Quantum computing has been an active area of research since the 1980s, but the technology has only recently begun moving beyond theory and toward industrial applications. Reports by QED-C and McKinsey estimate about $12 billion in public and private investments in 2025 for quantum technologies, and they project project quantum computing revenues of $72 billion by 2035.
Chemistry and chemical engineering offer some of the greatest potential for quantum applications, including chemical modeling, oil and gas, and pharmaceutical research and development. The timing is right to bring quantum practitioners and AIChE’s deep technical expertise into the same room for an engaging series of discussions.
Where do you see the greatest potential for chemical engineers?
Quantum technology companies are staffed by some of the brightest physicists working in the field, but the overlap between quantum expertise and chemical engineering knowledge is only beginning to emerge.
We do not necessarily need chemical engineers who are also quantum experts. We need engineers who can articulate the field’s currently unsolvable challenges and who are interested in using quantum technology as a tool. By collaborating with the quantum community, chemical engineers can help pursue solutions that were previously unattainable.
What can attendees who are unfamiliar with quantum technologies expect from the topical?
We deliberately designed the sessions to begin with no assumed background in quantum technologies and gradually introduce more advanced use cases and practical examples.
Our first session, Quantum Is Strange, introduces high-level concepts, explains the close connections between quantum technology and chemical engineering, and makes the scientific terminology more approachable.
Another session, Quantum Is Business, examines the current funding and business landscape as well as the possibilities for the chemical engineering industry. Additional sessions will cover how industries are using quantum technology, live demonstrations of its current capabilities, and ways to prepare the next generation of chemical engineers to work in the quantum field.
The topical is designed to open new possibilities for research and collaboration among quantum and chemical engineering professionals. There are no prerequisites other than curiosity about how an almost science-fiction-like discipline could help us address unsolved problems in chemical engineering.
Bring your curiosity and expertise, and get ready for an exciting conversation.
