Student’s silicon-based routing tool places second in global hackathon

Md. Sakibul Islam, a doctoral student in electrical engineering at the University of Central Florida, placed second in the Qollab X IonQ Hackathon 2026. The competition, held at a Florida International University node, tasked participants with solving complex problems in quantum computing. Islam competed for cash prizes and quantum compute credits alongside students and professionals from around the world.

Islam developed a framework to route quantum information across a network. This system identifies paths that offer the best balance between the quality of quantum entanglement and the speed of communication. The project addresses a core difficulty in building a future quantum internet: quantum data is fragile and cannot be copied or amplified like standard digital signals, which makes long-distance transmission unreliable.

The work extends research conducted in the Quantum Devices Lab, or Q-Lab, where Islam studies how to generate and control quantum information using silicon. His hackathon project moved this research from the device level to the network level. It incorporates solid-state qubits, which are quantum bits built into physical materials such as silicon. Islam notes that silicon could become a foundational material for quantum communication because it is compatible with existing telecommunications infrastructure.

Assistant Professor Wayesh Qarony, who leads the Q-Lab, states that the lab aims to build a scalable quantum internet from the ground up. "Building a scalable quantum internet is one of the most important scientific and engineering challenges in quantum technology today," Qarony said. The lab develops silicon-based quantum devices and integrated photonic circuits to connect these components into larger systems.

Islam explains that his unique approach combines the physics of quantum devices with the logic needed to operate a network. His framework compares different communication paths to find the most efficient route. This method helps ensure that the connection remains stable despite the inherent losses in photon transmission.

"Ultimately, our goal is to make quantum networks more practical, reliable and scalable using semiconductor technologies that could be compatible with existing telecommunications infrastructure," Islam said. He added that translating his lab work into a recognized hackathon project was a motivating experience.

Islam said the award reinforced his belief that fundamental research combined with creative engineering leads to meaningful innovations. He hopes the recognition will encourage more students at UCF to explore quantum science and engineering.