The fundamental challenge in achieving business-relevant, fault-tolerant quantum computing is twofold: finding ways to build physical qubits with longer coherence times and higher fidelity, and then building enough of them that they can be combine into logical qubits with built-in error correction. Trapped-ion systems — where qubits are encoded in the internal atomic states of charged atoms confined in electromagnetic fields — are Universal Quantum’s way to increase coherence times. These systems can be built on microfabricated modules of silicon, meaning they’re more scalable and controllable. And they can run at a relatively balmy 70K, meaning they don’t have to be placed inside elaborate dilution refrigerators. The company already has a $77 million contract with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to build a 100-qubit system that could eventually be scaled to millions of qubits.