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Russia's Quantum Patent Applications Decline Amid Sanctions

Russia has pledged to invest $800 million in developing practical quantum technologies. Marijan Murat / dpa / TASS

Fewer patent applications in the field of quantum technologies were filed in Russia last year due to sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, the Kommersant business daily reported Wednesday.

Quantum computing is an emerging technology that seeks to solve problems too complex for conventional computers. 

The number of patent applications related to quantum technologies in Russia dropped to 16 in 2022 from 28 in 2021, according to research by the analytical firm Dsight and the investment fund Voskhod cited by Kommersant.

That compares to 4,000 patent applications filed globally last year, the publication said, adding that the United States and China accounted for more than 60% of all applications. 

Dsight and Voskhod do not forecast any changes in the number of applications filed in Russia by the end of 2023.

“Foreign applicants have already left Russia, but domestic researchers are supported and continue to develop,” Dsight told the publication.

The Japanese imaging and optical products corporation Canon, which stopped sales to Russia due to the war, was last year's leader in filed quantum technologies applications, Kommersant said.

Last year, the EU and the United States banned quantum computing exports to Russia, with Washington imposing sanctions on Russian quantum computing companies accused of supporting Moscow's war machine.

Russia has pledged to invest $800 million in developing practical quantum technologies in 2020-25.

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