International Year of Quantum 2025, in which our world will celebrate 2025 as a very significant milestone because 100 years are completed in quantum mechanics. This field, which has changed the way we understand this universe, is still revolutionizing science and technology. The United Nations has declared 2025 an “International Year of Quantum Science and Technology” (IYQ) to celebrate quantum science and its legacy. It will be a way to celebrate the transformative impact of the global initiative in quantum mechanics and understand its ongoing potential.

When we look towards the IYQ, it is necessary to understand quantum history, groundbreaking applications, and its futuristic innovations.

Quantum mechanics evolved at the beginning of the 20th century, when classical physics was unable to explain some phenomena. Max Planck gave a concept of energy quantization to understand black-body radiation in 1900, which was the beginning of the development of quantum theory. Thereafter, Albert Einstein further built on this concept in 1905 while he was explaining the photoelectric effect and introducing light quanta (photons).

But quantum physics was developed as a complete theory in the 1920s. Werner Heisenberg developed matrix mechanics in 1925, and Erwin Schrödinger developed wave mechanics in 1926. These two developments helped us understand the behavior of quantum systems.

Schrödinger’s equation, which was given in 1926, has become an important part of quantum mechanics. Niels Bohr and Heisenberg developed quantum theory further. Through the Bohr atomic model and Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, we can understand that some physical properties cannot be measured simultaneously accurately.

These ideas had changed the face of science because now, we have started understanding the behavior of quantum systems in terms of probability and uncertainty.

IYQ is giving us an opportunity to reflect on the century-long impact of quantum mechanics. This year will be a means to understand the importance of quantum science and its potential applications with global collaboration.

There are certain primary goals of IYQ:

• Promoting Public Understanding: The IYQ goals are to make as many people aware of quantum science as possible, whether they are students, policymakers, or ordinary people.
• Fostering Collaboration: This year will set a global-level platform for scientists, engineers, and educators and will give opportunities to collaborate with each other.
• Highlight Quantum Technology: Quantum science has developed many innovative technologies like quantum computing and quantum cryptography. The aim of IYQ is to show the world how these technologies can transform industries and societies.

In this year (2025), many events, workshops, and conferences will be organized that will celebrate IYQ. The first event will be organized at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where there will be an opening ceremony from the 4th of February to the 5th of February. These events will be focused on quantum theory and its applications.

Quantum mechanics is not just a theoretical field. In the last hundred years, it has innovated many technologies that directly impact our daily lives. If we talk about semiconductors and quantum computing, quantum science is carrying new innovations in every field.

The major contribution of quantum science is in semiconductor technology. With the help of quantum theory, we were able to understand the behavior of electrons. As a result, transistors have been invented, which are used in electronic devices like computers, smartphones, and TVs. Transistors are the backbone of modern electronics, and quantum mechanics are directly used to operate these electronics.

Because of quantum mechanics, lasers, LEDs, and MRI machines—like technologies—become possible, which are very important in healthcare, telecommunications, and entertainment.

Quantum computing is the most exciting frontier today so far. Quantum computers use superposition and entanglement-like quantum principles that classical computers are not able to do. Classical computers represent bits as 0 and 1, whereas quantum bits (qubits) represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously. Because of this ability, quantum computers can make some specific calculations faster.

 The potential of quantum computing is to break complex problems like molecular interactions, supply chain optimization, and traditional cryptographic systems. But quantum computing is still in its early stages, and there is a big challenge to stabilizing and scaling the qubits.

Quantum cryptography is a promising solution to security concerns that are arising with the development of quantum computing. Classical cryptographic methods, which are based on mathematical problems, can be broken by quantum computers.

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technique in which encryption keys are shared securely. If someone tries to intercept an eavesdropper key, the system will find it immediately; that’s why this makes our communication completely secure.

Quantum mechanics is also being used in sensing and imaging technologies. Quantum sensors use quantum properties to measure tiny changes like time, magnetic fields, and temperature. These sensors are very useful in navigation, gravitational wave detection, and medical imaging fields.

Quantum-enhanced imaging, like quantum microscopes, observes biological phenomena in great detail, which helps to break through medicine. Quantum radar is also a promising technology that helps to do precise detection, especially in challenging environments.

Although there is a lot of potential in quantum technology, there are some challenges that have to be solved before deployment.

Quantum systems are very sensitive, and it is tough to maintain their delicate quantum states. To make stable qubits in quantum computers and preserve quantum properties are the major obstacles. Researchers are still working on it to get rid of this problem, but there is still more research to do.

Quantum software also is more important along with quantum hardware. It is a complex task to develop quantum algorithms so that they can use quantum superposition and entanglement. Quantum programming languages and tools are still evolving.

The rise of quantum technologies brings ethical and security concerns. Just as quantum computers can break traditional encryption methods, it has become important to develop quantum cryptography. It will be important to address these challenges.

Celebrating the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ), we are realizing the impact of quantum mechanics. The future of quantum technologies is very exciting, and they can bring innovations in fields like health, communication, and the environment.

IYQ provides a unique opportunity in which we can inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and policymakers. If we focus on education and global collaboration, then quantum science can be of great benefit.