Completed Consortium · 2025 to 2026
Nitrogen Doped Graphene Catalysts
Q-CTRL and Johnson Matthey used quantum optimisation to study metal-free catalysts for hydrogen fuel cells.
Role: Partner
Themes: Computing, Materials and components
Johnson Matthey
Company · London
Johnson Matthey wants quantum computers to help it design catalysts. With Cambridge software firm Riverlane it published quantum algorithms in Physical Review Research in March 2023 for simulating catalyst materials such as nickel oxide and palladium oxide on future error-corrected machines. Its technology centres then partnered Q-CTRL and the NQCC on a SparQ proof of concept that ran Q-CTRL's Fire Opal software on IBM hardware to find where nitrogen atoms should sit in graphene, a candidate replacement for costly platinum-group fuel cell catalysts. In June 2026 Phasecraft named it a partner on a roughly $4.5m ARPA-E award for quantum algorithms in catalyst discovery.
Johnson Matthey is a London company. It is a partner in 2 UK projects: Nitrogen Doped Graphene Catalysts and QCS.
Sources: The Quantum Insider: Riverlane-led research shows how quantum computers may simulate materials · NQCC: Nitrogen Doped Graphene Catalysts · The Quantum Insider: Phasecraft tapped by ARPA-E to develop quantum algorithms for catalyst discovery
Projects (2)
Partner in (2)
- Completed Hub · 2019 to 2024
UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Computing and Simulation
QCS
The phase 2 national hub for quantum computing and simulation, led by the University of Oxford. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £27.3m
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
In the news
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention Johnson Matthey.
Phasecraft Secures $4.5M ARPA-E Contract for Catalyst Discovery, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Phasecraft received a $4.5M ARPA-E contract to develop quantum algorithms for catalyst discovery, reducing reliance on critical minerals like iridium.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Top Quantum Software Companies By Layer, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The top quantum software companies and platforms in 2026 organised by stack layer: SDKs, cloud platforms, compilers, control systems, and algorithm libraries.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
UK Quantum Computing Companies 2026, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
UK quantum computing companies: Quantinuum’s Nasdaq listing, OQC’s 260 million pound round, Oxford Ionics under IonQ, Riverlane, Quantum Motion and the rest of the British stack.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Phasecraft Secures $34M for Quantum Algorithms, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Phasecraft raises $34 m Series B led by Plural, Playground Global and Novo Holdings Quantum Fund, with LocalGlobe, AlbionVC and Parkwalk Advisors.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Sources
- Johnson Matthey (matthey.com)
- NQCC: Collaborative R&D (SparQ proof of concept projects) (nqcc.ac.uk)
News from Quantum Zeitgeist.
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