Entangle@UNC

Inspiration

We joined this hackathon with zero experience in quantum computing, just a lot of curiosity. After attending the introductory workshop, we were inspired by the idea that quantum systems can do more than compute—they can connect people. During Dr. Mark Jackson’s talk, he emphasized the power of collaboration and communication in science. That made us think: what if quantum computing could help students connect based on how they learn and collaborate? That’s how Entangle@UNC was born.

What it does

Entangle@UNC is a concept for a quantum-powered matchmaking tool. Users provide two values—how experienced they are with quantum computing and how interested they are in collaboration. These values are turned into rotation angles on a quantum circuit. We prepare quantum states using RY and RZ gates and entangle them with a CX gate. Then we measure the result. The probability of getting the state |11⟩ becomes their compatibility score. The closer to 1, the better the match.

How we built it

We started by encoding user profiles into quantum states using IBM Quantum Composer. We used RY and RZ gates to position each user’s qubit on the Bloch sphere. Then, we used a CX gate to entangle the two users and measured the output to determine compatibility. We experimented with different values and circuits until we got consistent results. We visualized the data with Q-sphere and histograms to interpret our quantum fingerprints.

Challenges we ran into

We had to understand new quantum concepts very quickly—like qubit rotations, superposition, and entanglement. We struggled to build circuits that produced meaningful probabilities and learned to debug quantum gates and measurements. Making sense of results from IBM Composer and integrating them with our idea was also a big challenge.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We built and tested real quantum circuits even though most of us started with no prior experience. We were able to simulate user compatibility using quantum mechanics, and we created visuals to explain our idea in a way that others can understand. We’re proud that we combined storytelling, education, and quantum coding in one project.

What we learned

We learned how to encode classical user data into quantum states using quantum gates. We learned how to use IBM Quantum Composer, interpret Q-sphere results, and measure outcomes from a quantum circuit. More importantly, we learned the value of asking questions, working together, and embracing uncertainty in both coding and collaboration.

What's next for Entangle@UNC

We would love to build a platform that allows UNC students to fill out a short quantum-inspired survey and be matched with potential collaborators. We could integrate this project into an educational website or workshop to teach others about qubits, Bloch spheres, and quantum entanglement using real data from student preferences.