The core of the Saskatoon-based institution’s new system is a nine-qubit machine from Berkeley, Calif.-headquartered Rigetti Computing. Edmonton-based Zero Point Cryogenics supplied the specialized dilution fridge to cool the quantum computer. Dutch company Qblox and Finnish firm QuantrolOx also provided technology. USask will get $1.93 million in funding from Prairies Economic Development Canada and $400,000 from Innovation Saskatchewan to help pay for the system. (The Logic)

Talking point: Quantum computers are designed to solve problems that conventional machines can’t tackle fast enough, or at all. They’re particularly well-suited for tasks like optimizing systems, discovering new materials and cracking security codes. USask is an under-the-radar quantum technology hub. The school will use its new machine for drug and vaccine research at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, to help design new encryption techniques for data defence, and solve problems in agriculture and energy. Supplier Rigetti’s namesake CEO Chad Rigetti is from Moose Jaw, and got his undergraduate degree at the University of Regina. – Murad