Staff Report / FLXlocal.org

**Cornell Engineering Team Pioneers Quantum-AI Approach to Combat Microplastic Pollution**

Researchers at Cornell University in Ithaca have unveiled a groundbreaking method that combines quantum computing and artificial intelligence to design peptides capable of capturing and breaking down microplastics. These microscopic plastic particles pose significant threats to both ecosystems and human health, and the new approach could pave the way toward safer environmental solutions.

Peptides, which are chains of amino acids, can attach to the surface of microplastics and initiate chemical reactions that degrade them. However, creating such peptides has historically been a challenge due to limited data and difficulties in predicting how plastics interact with these molecules.

Under the leadership of Fengqi You, the Roxanne E. and Michael J. Zak Professor in Energy Systems Engineering, the Cornell research team has developed a new system powered by generative AI and quantum computing. Generative AI helps predict peptide properties, while quantum computing enhances the process by simulating and optimizing the selection of amino acid sequences.

This cutting-edge approach allows scientists to rapidly assess a large range of potential peptide designs. Unlike traditional methods that require laborious testing of each sequence individually, the quantum-AI framework significantly speeds up peptide discovery and optimization for targeting specific plastics.

"Scientists don’t really have the datasets to work with peptides targeting microplastics in the same way they do for some medical applications, and that’s where quantum comes in,” said Fengqi You. “Fundamentally, we see this as an AI problem, but we use quantum as a booster. It can evaluate many possibilities of amino acid sequences simultaneously, and that’s different from what we can do with classical computing.”

This development marks a significant step forward in addressing the global microplastic problem by leveraging advanced technology to design precise and efficient solutions. The research sets the stage for further innovations in peptide-based methods to reduce plastic pollution and protect critical ecosystems.

Source: Cornell University

Source Type: College

Source Location: Ithaca

Ithaca, NY

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