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Nobel Laureate and Tech Giants Form Alliance to Build Mass-Produced Quantum Supercomputers

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Nobel Prize-winning physicist John M. Martinis has teamed up with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and leading semiconductor companies to launch an ambitious initiative to build the world’s first mass-producible quantum supercomputer.

The collaboration, called the Quantum Scaling Alliance, brings together Applied Materials, Synopsys, 1QBit, Quantum Machines, Riverlane, and the University of Wisconsin. Its goal is to transition quantum computing from bespoke, laboratory-scale devices into scalable systems that can be manufactured using the same industrial tools that produce millions of chips for smartphones, laptops, and AI servers.

“Quantum chips have been made in an artisanal way for decades — small batches, one at a time. Now it’s time to move to a standard professional model,” Martinis told Reuters.

Quantum computers exploit qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously, enabling them to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than traditional machines. The alliance aims to overcome one of the key barriers in the field — scaling quantum systems while maintaining stability and error correction.

HPE’s quantum team, led by Masoud Mohseni, is working on the integration of quantum and classical computing systems — a critical step toward achieving large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum machines.

“People think that once you have hundreds or thousands of qubits, you can easily scale to millions. That’s just not true. Each scale brings new challenges,” Mohseni explained.

By uniting expertise in chip manufacturing, software design, and computing architecture, the Quantum Scaling Alliance hopes to create the foundation for commercially viable quantum supercomputers — machines capable of tackling problems in chemistry, medicine, materials science, and cryptography that are currently beyond reach.

Lam Research Forecasts Higher Revenue Amid Strong AI Chipmaking Demand

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Lam Research has projected second-quarter revenue above Wall Street expectations, driven by surging demand for semiconductor manufacturing tools used in artificial intelligence applications. The Fremont, California-based firm said it expects revenue of around $5.20 billion, plus or minus $300 million, for the quarter ending December 28 — ahead of analysts’ forecasts of $4.81 billion, according to LSEG data.

The company’s shares rose 2.2% in after-hours trading and have already doubled this year, fueled by global investment in AI-driven chip production. Lam, a leading supplier of wafer fabrication equipment (WFE), provides critical tools used in the complex processes of chip wiring and wafer etching.

Lam faces competition from industry heavyweights such as Applied Materials, Analog Devices, and ASML, but remains well-positioned as chip designers expand capacity to meet escalating computing demands. The firm reported $5.32 billion in revenue for the previous quarter, surpassing expectations, and adjusted earnings of $1.26 per share versus $1.22 projected. The AI semiconductor boom continues to lift equipment makers across the global chip supply chain.

Applied Materials Warns of $600 Million Revenue Hit in 2026 After Expanded U.S. Chip Export Curbs

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Applied Materials, one of the world’s largest semiconductor equipment makers, said it expects a $600 million revenue impact in fiscal 2026 after the U.S. government broadened export restrictions on technology shipments to China and its affiliates.

The company’s shares fell about 3% in after-hours trading on Thursday following a regulatory filing that detailed the potential hit. Applied Materials said the new rules will make it harder to export certain products and provide parts or services to specific China-based subsidiaries without a U.S. export license.

New U.S. Restrictions Target Loopholes

The U.S. Department of Commerce this week expanded its export blacklist to include majority-owned subsidiaries of already restricted companies. The move targets entities that have been using offshore affiliates to circumvent U.S. export controls on sensitive technologies, particularly in the semiconductor, aerospace, and medical equipment sectors.

The company estimated an additional $110 million impact on its fourth-quarter 2024 revenue, compounding challenges already caused by a slowdown in China and ongoing tariff pressures.

Broader Industry Pressure

Applied Materials, along with European chipmaking equipment supplier ASML Holding, has been hit by weak demand in China, where export curbs have limited access to advanced lithography and chip-manufacturing tools.

Analysts said the new rule could disrupt global semiconductor supply chains and increase the number of firms that will now need licenses to receive U.S.-origin components and services.

Washington’s Push for Domestic Chip Production

In a related policy move, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Washington was urging Taiwan to adopt a 50-50 manufacturing split with the United States, part of efforts to boost domestic chip production and reduce dependence on overseas supply chains.

Applied Materials’ Financial Outlook

Despite the looming headwinds, Applied Materials reported strong results for fiscal 2024, with revenue up 2.5% year-over-year to $27.18 billion. Third-quarter revenue rose 8% to $7.30 billion, surpassing market expectations of $7.22 billion, according to LSEG data.

However, the company’s August outlook had already signaled a cautious tone, citing “geopolitical uncertainty and weaker equipment spending” as persistent risks heading into 2025.

As the U.S.–China technology rivalry intensifies, Applied Materials’ latest warning highlights the growing cost of Washington’s export-control campaign, which is reshaping the global semiconductor landscape and testing the resilience of supply chains worldwide.