The open access articles featured in this celebratory collection have been selected for the great impact they have achieved in such a short period of time.

From achieving high downloads and citations to receiving significant media coverage, these papers show how our TA in Austria is increasing the visibility and impact of scientific research.

Join your fellow researchers who are shaping the future of science, and your articles could also be featured in news outlets such as Wiener Zeitung, Forschung & Lehre and Phys.org.

Find out if your institution is participating in this agreement to make sure your next paper gets the greatest exposure.

Is your institution not currently part of our KEMO agreement? You can recommend a transformative agreement to your librarian here.

Read the Austrian articles making an impact across our journal portfolio

Paper  |  Open Access
A review on isoprene in human breath
P Mochalski, Universität Innsbruck et al
2023 J. Breath Res. 17 037101 https://doi.org/10.1088/1752-7163/acc964

Paper  |  Open Access
Pb_10−x Cu_x(PO₄)₆O: a Mott or charge transfer insulator in need of further doping for (super)conductivity
Liang Si, Technische Universität Wien et al
2023 J. Phys.: Condens. 36 065601 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/ad0673

Paper  |  Open Access
The smallest bimolecular mass action reaction networks admitting Andronov–Hopf bifurcation
Murad Banaji and Balázs Boros, Universität Wien
2023 Nonlinearity 36 1398 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6544/acb0a8

Paper  |  Open Access
A mathematical framework for nonlinear wavefront reconstruction in adaptive optics systems with Fourier-type wavefront sensing
Victoria Hutterer, Andreas Neubauer and Julia Shatokhina, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
2023 Inverse Problems. 39 035007 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6420/acb568

Paper  |  Open Access
Cosmic time evolution and propagator from a Yang–Mills matrix model
Joanna L Karczmarek and Harold C Steinacker, University of Vienna Boltzmanngasse
2023 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 56 175401 https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8121/acc61e

Paper  |  Open Access
Analysis of inhomogeneities in Nb₃Sn wires by combined SEM and SHPM and their impact on J_c and T_c
S Pfeiffer, Technische Universität Wien et al
2023 Supercond. Sci. Technol. 36 045008 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6668/acb857

letter  |  Open Access
Carbon dioxide removal to combat climate change? An expert survey on perception and support
Christoph Kerner, Universität Graz et al
2023 Environ. Res. Commun. 5 041003 https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/accc72

Paper  |  Open Access
Relativistic elasticity II
Robert Beig, Universität Wien
2023 Class. Quantum Grav. 40 084001 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/acc307

Paper  |  Open Access
Thermodynamics of exponential Kolmogorov–Nagumo averages
Jan Korbel, Medizinische Universität Wien et al
2023 New J. Phys. 25 073011 https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/ace4eb

Paper  |  Open Access
Automated real-space lattice extraction for atomic force microscopy images
Marco Corrias, Universität Wien et al
2023 Mach. Learn.: Sci. Technol. 4 015015 https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-2153/acb5e0

Paper  |  Open Access
Automatic ECG-based detection of left ventricular hypertrophy and its predictive value in haemodialysis patients
Theresa Letz, Austrian Institute of Technology et al
2023 Physiol. Meas. 44 075002 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6579/acdfb3

Paper  |  Open Access
Balance perturbation and error processing elicit distinct brain dynamics
Shayan Jalilpour and Gernot Müller-Putz, Technische Universität Graz
2023 J. Neural Eng. 20 026026 https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/acc486

Paper  |  Open Access
Conditioning Boltzmann generators for rare event sampling
Sebastian Falkner, Universität Wien et al
2023 Mach. Learn.: Sci. Technol. 4 035050 https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-2153/acf55c

Paper  |  Open Access
Translation invariant diagonal frame decomposition of inverse problems and their regularization
Simon Göppel, Universität Innsbruck et al
2023 Inverse Problems. 39 065011 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6420/accd15

Topical Review  |  Open Access
Applications of soft biomaterials based on organic and hybrid thin films deposited from the vapor phase
Sophie Marcelja, Technische Universität Graz et al
2023 J. Phys. Mater. 6 042001 https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7639/ace5df

Paper  |  Open Access
Calibration of a three-state cell death model for cardiomyocytes and its application in radiofrequency ablation
Luca Gerardo-Giorda, Johannes-Kepler-Universität Linz et al
2023 Physiol. Meas. 44 065003 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6579/acdcdd

Paper  |  Open Access
Deactivation of a steam reformer catalyst in chemical looping hydrogen systems: experiments and modeling
B Stoppacher, Technische Universität Graz et al
2023 J. Phys. Energy. 5 014021 https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7655/acb668

letter |  Open Access
Dynamics of squirmers in explicitly modeled polymeric fluids
A. Zöttl, Universität Wien
2023 EPL. 143 17003 https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/acdf18

Paper  |  Open Access
Will biomimetic robots be able to change a hivemind to guide honeybees’ ecosystem services?
Dajana Lazic and Thomas Schmickl, Universität Graz
2023 Bioinspir. Biomim. 18 035004 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/acc0b9

Paper  |  Open Access
Interface effects on titanium growth on graphene
Georg Zagler, Universität Wien et al
2023 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 56 155002 https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/acf22e

In this article, Hazel Rowland, Associate Marketing Manager at IOP Publishing, shares what researchers can do to increase the potential impact of their article once they have published.

“Congratulations, you have published your research. But don’t stop there. It’s important to amplify your research, to ensure the scientific community, and beyond, gets to see it.

As a marketer working for a non-profit scientific publishing company, I have some top tips which you can follow to help you get your research out into the world and making an impact.”

1. Work with your publisher: We have several ways to help promote your papers. By working with your publisher and getting involved—like sharing on social media, providing testimonials and tagging your work—you can give your research an extra boost and make it more visible on various marketing platforms. 
2. Socials: Ensure you are using your own social media channels to promote your research and engage with the scientific community and institutions. Don’t forget to tag your publisher’s account, journal accounts if there are any, institutions and any of the relevant researchers included in your work. You can also use social media to get involved in relevant online discussions around your research. The best way to grow your audience online is to share your research and interact with your followers. You could even include video content to explain your research further.
3. Tell a story with your research: Explain, in lay terms, why your research is important. Reach out to science magazines, podcasts, blogs and media outlets, such as Physics World, drawing out key themes from your research, and what it aims to achieve.
4. Use the support and networks available to you: Start by contacting your institution’s press office for guidance on promoting your work. Reach out to colleagues in your field to see if they have connections with relevant media, journalists or blog sites. Share your research with colleagues who have a strong social media following or a relevant contact list. Additionally, explore scholarly collaboration networks like ResearchGate and Scopus. Consider emailing those you’ve referenced in your article, as well as key figures in the field, with links to your work. You can also connect with those citing your work on Altmetrics; if a blog, podcast or researcher from another field has mentioned your work, it might open the door to valuable collaboration opportunities.
5. Events: When attending in-person events, bring along flyers, including QR codes, linking to your article. Distribute these while you network amongst researchers with similar research interests. Interact online with other delegates during conferences and industry events. Use X, formally Twitter, to find out the official hashtag and tweet during and after sessions.

Dr. Chien-Kuo Chang is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at NTUST. His article, Study of partial discharges measurement cycles effect on defect recognition for underground cable joints was published under the transformative agreement with the Physics Research Promotion Center in Taiwan

Congratulations on your latest paper. Can you tell us about your latest findings?

The duration of the PRPD pattern directly corresponds to the number of partial discharges (PDs) detected per measurement cycle. Following data analysis in five different measurement cycle durations: 40, 80, 120, 200, and 1200 cycles, a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) trained on 200 measurement cycles exhibits exceptional performance. This result highlights the significance of an adequate number of measurement cycles in obtaining comprehensive PRPD patterns and ensuring precise defect classification.

How would you describe the publication process through the transformative agreement?
My experience is easy and fast. The most exciting part is that I did not have to pay.

What benefits did you see from publishing your work open access?
I believe that open access can enhance the diversity of sharing findings. It is worth noting that the quality of reviews at IOP is high and expert.

Do you have any word of advice for other authors interested in publishing open access through a transformative agreement?
I totally agree with the policy of publishing open access through a transformative agreement because it prevents qualified and valuable research findings from being buried by article processing charges (APC).

The open access articles featured in this celebratory collection have been selected for the great impact they have achieved in such a short period of time.

From achieving high downloads and citations to receiving significant media coverage, these papers show how our TA with the Max Planck Society in Germany is increasing the visibility and impact of scientific research.

Join your fellow researchers who are shaping the future of science, and your articles could also be featured in news outlets such as derStandard, Phys.org and ScienceDaily.

Find out if your institution is participating in this agreement to make sure your next paper gets the greatest exposure.

Is your institution not currently part of our Max Planck agreement? You can recommend a transformative agreement to your librarian here.

Read the Max Planck articles making an impact across our journal portfolio

Paper  |  Open Access
Spectroscopic Time Series Performance of the Mid-infrared Instrument on the JWST
Jeroen Bouwman, Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie (MPIA) et al
2023 PASP. 135 038002 https://doi.org/10.1088/1538-3873/acbc49

Topical Review  |  Open Access
Hydrogen storage in liquid hydrogen carriers: recent activities and new trends
Tolga Han Ulucan, Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung et al
2023 Prog. Energy 5 012004 https://doi.org/10.1088/2516-1083/acac5c

Paper  |  Open Access
Isotope physics of heat and particle transport with tritium in JET-ILW type-I ELMy H-mode plasmas
P.A. Schneider, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 Nucl. Fusion. 63 112010 https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/acf560

Paper  |  Open Access
Prompt cusps and the dark matter annihilation signal
M. Sten Delos and Simon D.M. White, Max-Planck-Institut für Astrophysik
2023 JCAP. 10 008 https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2023/10/008

Topical Review  |  Open Access
A critical review of experiments on deuterium retention in displacement-damaged tungsten as function of damaging dose
T Schwarz-Selinger, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 Mater. Res. Express. 10 102002 https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/acfdf8

Paper  |  Open Access
Observation of an anomalous Hall effect in single-crystal Mn₃Pt
Belén E Zuniga-Cespedes, Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Physik fester Stoffe et al
2023 New J. Phys. 25 023029 https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/acbc3f

Paper  |  Open Access
The dependence of tokamak L-mode confinement on magnetic field and plasma size, from a magnetic field scan experiment at ASDEX Upgrade to full-radius integrated modelling and fusion reactor predictions
C. Angioni, Max–Planck–Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 Nucl. Fusion. 63 056005 https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/acc193

Paper  |  Open Access
Non-geometric tilt-to-length coupling in precision interferometry: mechanisms and analytical descriptions
Marie-Sophie Hartig, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik et al
2023 J. Opt. 25 055601 https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/acc3ac

Paper  |  Open Access
Late-time post-merger modeling of a compact binary: effects of relativity, r-process heating, and treatment of transport
Harald P Pfeiffer, Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik et al
2023 Class. Quantum Grav. 40 085008 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/acc0c6

Paper  |  Open Access
Analysis and expansion of the quasi-continuous exhaust (QCE) regime in ASDEX Upgrade
M. Faitsch, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 Nucl. Fusion. 63 076013 https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/acd464

Paper  |  Open Access
Analytical model for the combined effects of rotation and collisionality on neoclassical impurity transport
D Fajardo, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion. 65 035021 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/acb0fc

Paper  |  Open Access
The JET hybrid scenario in Deuterium, Tritium and Deuterium-Tritium
J. Hobirk, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 Nucl. Fusion 63 112001 https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/acde8d

Paper  |  Open Access
Topological skyrmion phases of matter
Ashley M Cook, Max-Planck-Institut für Chemische Physik fester Stoffe
2023 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter. 35 184001 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/acbffd

Paper  |  Open Access
TALIF at H⁻ ion sources for the determination of the density and EDF of atomic hydrogen
F Merk, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 56 155201 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/acc07c

Topical Review  |  Open Access
Machine learning and Bayesian inference in nuclear fusion research: an overview
A Pavone, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion. 65 053001 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/acc60f

Letter  |  Open Access
Hybrid modeling of evapotranspiration: inferring stomatal and aerodynamic resistances using combined physics-based and machine learning
Reda ElGhawi, Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie et al
2023 Environ. Res. Lett. 18 034039 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acbbe0

Paper  |  Open Access
Nematicity-enhanced superconductivity in systems with a non-Fermi liquid behavior
Sharareh Sayyad, Max-Planck-Institut für die Wissenschaft des Lichts et al
2023 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter. 35 245605 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/acc6af

Paper  |  Open Access
Experiments and non-linear MHD simulations of hot vertical displacement events in ASDEX-Upgrade
N Schwarz, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik et al
2023 Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion. 65 054003 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6587/acc358/meta

Paper  |  Open Access
Low-voltage polymer transistors on hydrophobic dielectrics and surfaces
Ulrike Kraft, Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung et al
2023 J. Phys. Mater. 6 025001 https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7639/acb7a1

Paper  |  Open Access
Feynman-Kac theory of time-integrated functionals: Itô versus functional calculus
Cai Dieball1 and Aljaž Godec, Max-Planck-Institut für multidisziplinäre Wissenschaften
2023 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 56 155002 https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8121/acc28e

The open access articles featured in this celebratory collection have been selected for the great impact they have achieved in such a short period of time.

From achieving high downloads and citations to receiving significant media coverage, these papers show how our TA in the UK is increasing the visibility and impact of scientific research.

Join your fellow researchers who are shaping the future of science, and your articles could also be featured in news outlets such as The Science Times, BBC News and PhysOrg.

Find out if your institution is participating in this agreement to make sure your next paper gets the greatest exposure.

Is your institution not currently part of our Jisc agreement? You can recommend a transformative agreement to your librarian here.

Read the UK articles making an impact across our journal portfolio

Roadmap  |  Open Access
The 2023 terahertz science and technology roadmap
John Cunningham, University of Leeds et al
2023 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys 56 223001 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/acbe4c

Letter  |  Open Access
Non-perturbative non-Gaussianity and primordial black holes
A. D. Gow, University of Portsmouth et al
2023 EPL 142 49001 https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/acd417

Paper  |  Open Access
JET D-T scenario with optimized non-thermal fusion
M. Maslov, UKAEA et al
2023 Nucl. Fusion 63 112002 https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/ace2d8

Roadmap  |  Open Access
2023 roadmap for potassium-ion batteries
Yang Xu, University College London et al
2023 J. Phys. Energy. 5 021502 https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7655/acbf76

Paper  |  Open Access
Stability analysis of a non-singular fractional-order covid-19 model with nonlinear incidence and treatment rate
Mehmet Yavuz, University of Exeter et al
2023 Phys. Scr. 98 045216 https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/acbe7a

Paper  |  Open Access
Data quality up to the third observing run of advanced LIGO: Gravity Spy glitch classifications
C P L Berry, University of Glasgow et al
2023 Class. Quantum Grav. 40 065004 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/acb633

Roadmap  |  Open Access
Roadmap on spatiotemporal light fields
Yijie Shen, University of Southampton et al
2023 J. Opt. 25 093001 https://doi.org/10.1088/2040-8986/ace4dc

Paper  |  Open Access
Bootstrapping multi-field inflation: non-Gaussianities from light scalars revisited
Dong-Gang Wang, University of Cambridge et al
2023 JCAP. 05 043 https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2023/05/043

Benchmark |  Open Access
Quantum machine learning of large datasets using randomized measurements
Tobias Haug, Imperial College London et al
2023 Mach. Learn.: Sci. Technol. 4 015005 https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-2153/acb0b4

Roadmap  |  Open Access
Roadmap for a sustainable circular economy in lithium-ion and future battery technologies
Gavin D J Harper, University of Birmingham et al
2023 J. Phys. Energy 5 021501 https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7655/acaa57

Paper  |  Open Access
Cosmology with the EFTofLSS and BOSS: dark energy constraints and a note on priors
Pedro Carrilho, University of Edinburgh et al
2023 JCAP. 01 028 https://doi.org/10.1088/1475-7516/2023/01/028

Paper  |  Open Access
CTTK: a new method to solve the initial data constraints in numerical relativity
Josu C Aurrekoetxea, University of Oxford et al
2023 Class. Quantum Grav. 40 075003 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6382/acb883

Roadmap |  Open Access
Roadmap on artificial intelligence and big data techniques for superconductivity
Mohammad Yazdani-Asrami, University of Glasgow et al
2023 Supercond. Sci. Technol. 36 043501 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6668/acbb34

Paper  |  Open Access
Concept of the generalized reduced-order particle-in-cell scheme and verification in an axial-azimuthal Hall thruster configuration
Maryam Reza, Imperial College London et al
2023 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 56 175201 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6463/acbb15

Topical Review  |  Open Access
Ultra-high field MRI: parallel-transmit arrays and RF pulse design
Sydney N Williams, University of Glasgow et al
2023 Phys. Med. Biol. 68 02TR02 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6560/aca4b7

Paper  |  Open Access
Deployable extrusion bioprinting of compartmental tumoroids with cancer associated fibroblasts for immune cell interactions
Corrado Mazzaglia, University of Cambridge et al
2023 Biofabrication. 15 025005 https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/acb1db

Letter |  Open Access
Robust simulation-based inference in cosmology with Bayesian neural networks
Pablo Lemos, University of Sussex et al
2024 Mach. Learn.: Sci. Technol. 4 01LT01 https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-2153/acbb53

Paper  |  Open Access
Dirac gauge theory for topological spinors in 3+1 dimensional networks
Ginestra Bianconi, Queen Mary University of London
2023 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 56 275001 https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8121/acdc6a

Paper  |  Open Access
Perspective on quantum bubbles in microgravity
Barry M Garraway, University of Sussex et al
2023 Quantum Sci. Technol. 8 024003 https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-9565/acb1cf

Topical Review |  Open Access
A systematic comparison of deforestation drivers and policy effectiveness across the Amazon biome
Rachael D Garrett, University of Cambridge et al
2023 Environ. Res. Lett. 18 073001 https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/acd408

Mauro Paternostro, is a quantum physicist at the University of Palermo and Queen’s University Belfast, and an expert in quantum information processing and quantum technology. Working on the foundations of the subject, his team is doing pioneering research in cavity optomechanics, quantum communication and beyond. He is also editor in chief of the IOP Publishing journal Quantum Science and Technology.

IOP Publishing has a transformative agreement with your institution for funded open access publishing, how has that helped you?
I think it has been a game-changing agreement as far as the publication of our output is concerned. With the stringent criteria that the research councils have put on outputs supported by grants – from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for instance – and the need for them to be fully accessible, and data to be fully available to the community, having a TA that guarantees open access is what we need. It’s great to have the peace of mind that IOP Publishing is a viable avenue for where my EPSRC-compliant outputs can be published. Apart from funding compliance, the IOP Publishing agreement removes the administrative burden of dealing with invoices for the article publication charges (APCs) which is a big relief for the scientists.

IOP Publishing (IOP) has a transformative agreement with Anelis Plus to enable a transition to open access publishing.

Who can benefit?
All corresponding authors that are current staff members, researchers (permanent, temporary and visiting), or students at one of the institutions below, at the point of submission, can publish open access at no cost to themselves. The corresponding author is the author that submits the manuscript and is responsible for communicating with the journal during the submission, peer review and publication process.

What’s included?

• Articles accepted will be eligible for transformative agreement funding to enable authors to publish open access with no cost to themselves
• Research paper, special issue, letter and review article types
• Included journals are those in lists A, B, and D. Click here for a full title list of eligible journals.

Please note

You may find our author guide for submitting under a transformative agreement helpful located in our Transformative Agreement hub.

Eligible institutions

Horia Hulubei Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare în Fizică și Inginerie Nucleară
Institute of Space Science
Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizica Materialelor
Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru în Microtehnologii
Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Fizică Tehnică – IFT Iaşi
Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Optoelectronica – INOE 2000
Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Criogenice și Izotopice Ramnicu Valcea
Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare pentru Tehnologii Izotopice și Moleculare
Institutul Național pentru Fizica Laserilor, Plasmei si Radiatiei
Unitatea Executiva Pentru Finantarea Invatamantului Superior a Cercetarii Dezvoltarii si Inovarii
Universitatea „Dunărea de Jos” din Galați
Universitatea de Vest din Timișoara
Universitatea Politehnica din București

Is your institution not listed here? Recommend open access funding to your library.

IOP Publishing (IOP) has a transformative agreement with two institutions in Malaysia to enable a transition to open access publishing.

Who can benefit?
All corresponding authors that are current staff members, researchers (permanent, temporary and visiting), or students at one of the institutions below, at the point of submission, can publish open access at no cost to themselves. The corresponding author is the author that submits the manuscript and is responsible for communicating with the journal during the submission, peer review and publication process.

What’s included?

• Articles accepted will be eligible for transformative agreement funding to enable authors to publish open access with no cost to themselves
• Research paper, special issue, letter and review article types
• Included journals are those in lists A, B, C and D. Click here for a full title list of eligible journals.

Please note
You may find our author guide for submitting under a transformative agreement helpful located in our Transformative Agreement hub

Is your institution not listed here? Recommend open access funding to your library.

Eligible instiutions
Universiti Malaya
Universiti Malaysia Perlis

Nana Liu is an associate professor and PI of the Quantum Information and Technologies (QIT) group in the Institute of Natural Sciences at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute. She received her PhD from the University of Oxford as a Clarendon Scholar and was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Center for Quantum Technologies in the National University of Singapore and the Singapore University of Technology and Design. She is the 2019 recipient of the MIT Technology Review’s 10 Innovators under 35 in the Asia-Pacific region. Her current research interests include quantum algorithms for scientific computing and quantum protocols relevant for a future quantum internet.

What is the focus of your research at the moment?
For the past two years, one my of main new research focuses has been on new methods for simulating ordinary and partial differential equations on quantum devices. These differential equations form the bedrock of almost all laws of physics, as well many applications to chemistry, biology and economics. Schrodinger’s equation, which is the foundation of quantum mechanics, is one such partial differential equation that quantum simulation was originally proposed to deal with, in particular for large dimensional problems. The question is, can quantum simulation also be helpful for other differential equations?

The answer we have found is yes, and to make this possible, we need a formalism to map any differential equation onto Schrodinger’s equations. We found that this is possible with the addition of only one extra spatial dimension and we call this method Schrodingerisation. It can be suitable for both nearer-term devices as well as large scale fault-tolerant quantum devices when they become available.

Schrodingerisation is one example in our general philosophy of finding new mathematical mappings that make our problem simpler by making small increases to dimensionality, which we can then put into a quantum device that can deal better with larger dimensions than classical devices. Apart from Schrodingerisation, we also have methods for turning uncertain problems into deterministic ones, nonlinear problems into linear ones and time-dependent problems into time-independent ones, all by adding a small number of dimensions to the original problem.

What do you consider to be the biggest advancement in quantum science to date?
Wow, that’s a hard question! That’s a really personal question I think and depends on what you care about. For me, all our understanding (about anything) is concerned with the arrangement of information. Yet information lives in physical matter and cannot be considered distinctly from physical laws that them. Landauer’s shorthand is `information is physical’. That’s what deeply attracts me to quantum information and computation and why I came into this field. There are of course so many more recent exciting developments, but I’ll stick with the oldies but goldies: quantum cryptographic protocols with quantum teleportation and quantum subroutines like phase estimation and Grover’s.

In your opinion, what could be the next big breakthrough for the field of quantum science and technology?
That’s the wonderful thing about breakthroughs, is that they are usually very surprising and unpredictable! Especially for theoretical developments, this is very hard to say because the really cool ones often come from asking questions in a very different way, with different underlying assumptions, so we might not even know these questions yet. For technological advancements, the questions might be there, but engineering difficulties might be colossal. Certainly a technological breakthrough most of us hope to see is a convincing pathway to large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computation, that is not too far into the future. We also hope for novel quantum algorithms for problems of societal interest that have substantial quantum advantage, and is not just some variation of phase estimation or amplitude amplification. This is a long-winded way to say I have no idea what will happen, but I like to keep open-minded and be joyfully surprised when breakthroughs come, no matter what forms they may take.

What role does the journal Quantum Science and Technology play in supporting research in the field?
I think QST serves an important role in the current quantum information and computation community, as the community evolves from a mostly theoretical focus to one that has genuine hope for quantum technologies becoming something tangible. Of course, at this early stage, theory and technology must move hand in hand and try to positively influence each other to make useful quantum technologies a reality. There are still a lot of theoretical developments – new protocols, new tools, new insights – necessary before we can reach this stage and QST is a perfect platform for this kind of work. There are not so many other journals that cater to this balance.

If you would like to mention any other insights we might have missed, please feel free to add that in.
Quantum research is evolving so rapidly, yet in some ways it is still rooted in some older traditions that might not fit so well the changing landscape. For example, while the theoretical computer science perspective in quantum computation rightfully dominated before we considered quantum computation as a potential technology, once we are in the realm of seeking technologically important algorithms, the scientific computing mindset should instead dominate. Otherwise, this hampers progress. However, this transition process is slow in the community, since people have been brought up to think in that particular way. One way to speed things up is to promote a more interdisciplinary perspective, which has not been so easy since the quantum information and computation community is actually relatively small. Given that it is already 30 years after Shor’s algorithm and no algorithm yet still truly rivals this one (can be argued, but not too much I think), it’s time to rethink about our approach and to welcome different opinions from different fields so we can make interesting progress.