2025: International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
The United Nations General Assembly has designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology through activities at all levels. This global, year-long initiative aims to increase public awareness of the importance of quantum science and its wide-ranging applications. According to the UN proclamation, it will be “observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications.”
The year 2025 marks the centennial of the remarkable discovery of quantum mechanics through the formulation of the Schrödinger equation in 1926. Even before Schrödinger’s breakthrough, physicists had already discovered that energy is quantized or “countable”—that is, it exists in discrete amounts rather than as a continuous flow. Schrödinger’s work provided the mathematical framework to describe the wave-like behavior of subatomic particles, allowing for accurate predictions of their trajectories and energy states.
Quantum theory has since become a cornerstone of modern science and technology. From electronics and telecommunications to engineering and the natural sciences, quantum mechanics underpins a vast array of innovations. Technologies such as lasers, transistors, LEDs, MRI machines, GPS, solar cells, and the internet all rely on quantum principles.
Yet these achievements represent only the beginning of larger potential applications. Quantum science continues to evolve, promising revolutionary applications in fields such as computing, cryptography, and communications. These technologies hold the promise to accelerate scientific discovery and help solve some of humanity’s most urgent challenges—from developing sustainable energy solutions to advancing medical research.
In celebration of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, the German Physical Society (DPG) is organizing a diverse program of events under the motto “Quantum2025 – 100 years are just the beginning…”. For more information about outreach activities hosted by ML4Q in NRW, please visit the official website.