Universities in the United States are now getting quantum computers. And it might just be the beginning.

‍What’s happening:‍

• United Kingdom based quantum computing startup Orca has announced they have sold two quantum computers to Montana State University
  
• The purchase represents the first time Orca has ever sold a quantum computer to a customer in the United States
  

Why it matters:‍

• The White House previously declared quantum computing to be a critical technology for the future due to the potential for quantum computers to radically transform innovation in drug discovery, cybersecurity, manufacturing and more
  

Going deeper:‍

• Orca has a number of notable backers, including The United States Department of Defense and Oxford Science Enterprises
  
• Ocra’s PT-1 quantum computers are notable for being able to operate at room temperature, as opposed to many quantum computers which need to be cryogenically cooled
  
• Montana State University plans to use Orca’s quantum computers to accelerate research around the potential of quantum computing for security and computing
  

The intrigue:‍

• The purchase made by Montana State University comes from funding provided by the United States Air Force as part of their Applied Quantum Core grant

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