Abstract The quest for a scalable quantum internet is fundamentally stalled by the repeater problem, a challenge rooted in the catastrophic fragility of quantum states (decoherence). Current state-of-the-art approaches, based on superconducting circuits, solid-state defects, or photonic memories, are trapped in a trilemma of impossible temperatures, manufacturing, or storage. This paper proposes a radical paradigm shift, abandoning the brute-force engineering of coherence in artificial systems and instead co-opting the principles of the only system known to have mastered it: biological life.Inspired by the long-lasting quantum coherence observed in photosynthetic complexes, we present an engineering roadmap for a room-temperature quantum repeater based on a hybrid bio-quantum architecture. Our "Biological Anchor" protocol leverages the power of de novo protein design to engineer a synthetic molecular "cage," whose excitonic resonance is precisely tuned to the telecommunications C-band wavelength of ~ 1550 nm. This biological "song" acts as a perfect quantum key, mediating the transfer of quantum information from a photon to a guest qubit—a single, shielded Erbium ion—harmonized at a quantum level.
Abstract The quest for a scalable quantum internet is fundamentally stalled by the repeater problem, a challenge rooted in the catastrophic fragility of quantum states (decoherence). Current state-of-the-art approaches, based on superconducting circuits, solid-state defects, or photonic memories, are trapped in a trilemma of impossible temperatures, manufacturing, or storage. This paper proposes a radical paradigm shift, abandoning the brute-force engineering of coherence in artificial systems and instead co-opting the principles of the only system known to have mastered it: biological life.Inspired by the long-lasting quantum coherence observed in photosynthetic complexes, we present an engineering roadmap for a room-temperature quantum repeater based on a hybrid bio-quantum architecture. Our "Biological Anchor" protocol leverages the power of de novo protein design to engineer a synthetic molecular "cage," whose excitonic resonance is precisely tuned to the telecommunications C-band wavelength of ~ 1550 nm. This biological "song" acts as a perfect quantum key, mediating the transfer of quantum information from a photon to a guest qubit—a single, shielded Erbium ion—harmonized at a quantum level.
The development of scalable quantum networks is fundamentally limited by the cryogenic infrastructure required by current solid-state quantum emitters, restricting deployment beyond laboratory settings. Here, we present a computational demonstration of non-cryogenic (277 K) quantum-compatible emission at telecommunication wavelengths from erbium(III) ions embedded in a de novo designed protein scaffold. Building upon our previously proposed "Biological Anchor" architecture for hybrid bio-quantum communication systems3¹, we designed and computationally characterized a chimeric protein, which we term Teledrybin, featuring a modified EF-hand motif optimized for asymmetric 9-coordinate Er³⁺ binding. Using complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations with N-electron valence state perturbation theory (NEVPT2) and spin-orbit coupling (SOC), we predict optical transitions at 1554 nm, precisely within the telecommunications C-band (1530–1565 nm). Molecular dynamics simulations at 277 K in H₂O (to be replaced by D₂O on field) demonstrate structural stability over 140 ns, with the Er³⁺ coordination geometry converging to average Er–O distances of 2.34–2.36 Å and angular deviations below 2° across independent AlphaFold3 models. The low-symmetry (C₁) coordination environment enables the otherwise Laporte-forbidden 4f-4f transitions, while the engineered hydrophobic barrier suppresses vibrational quenching by excluding bulk solvent from the binding site—only a single structural D₂O molecule remains coordinated. These results validate the feasibility of protein-based quantum emitters operating under non-cryogenic conditions in the telecom band, offering a biologically-producible, scalable alternative to solid-state quantum light sources for edge-node applications in quantum networks.
Abstract The development of scalable quantum networks is fundamentally limited by the cryogenic infrastructure required by current solid-state quantum emitters, restricting deployment beyond laboratory settings. Here, we present a computational demonstration of non-cryogenic (277 K) quantum-compatible emission at telecommunication wavelengths from erbium(III) ions embedded in a de novo designed protein scaffold. Building upon our previously proposed "Biological Anchor" architecture for hybrid bio-quantum communication systems 3 ¹, we designed and computationally characterized a chimeric protein, which we term Teledrybin, featuring a modified EF-hand motif optimized for asymmetric 9-coordinate Er³⁺ binding. Using complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations with N-electron valence state perturbation theory (NEVPT2) and spin-orbit coupling (SOC), we predict optical transitions at 1554 nm, precisely within the telecommunications C-band (1530–1565 nm). Molecular dynamics simulations at 277 K in H₂O (to be replaced by D₂O on field) demonstrate structural stability over 140 ns, with the Er³⁺ coordination geometry converging to average Er–O distances of 2.34–2.36 Å and angular deviations below 2° across independent AlphaFold3 models. The low-symmetry (C₁) coordination environment enables the otherwise Laporte-forbidden 4f-4f transitions, while the engineered hydrophobic barrier suppresses vibrational quenching by excluding bulk solvent from the binding site—only a single structural D₂O molecule remains coordinated. These results validate the feasibility of protein-based quantum emitters operating under non-cryogenic conditions in the telecom band, offering a biologically-producible, scalable alternative to solid-state quantum light sources for edge-node applications in quantum networks.
The prevailing assumption in quantum computing, that quantum effects require near-absolute-zero temperatures to be computationally useful, rests on an engineering convenience, not a physical law. Biological systems routinely exploit quantum coherence at 310 °K (human body temperature), as demonstrated by photosynthetic energy transfer, avian magnetoreception, and enzyme catalysis. This paper argues that these biological precedents point to an unexplored class of room-temperature quantum architectures that could fundamentally transform artificial intelligence. Room-temperature quantum computing is not merely possible; it may be the only path to artificial general intelligence that captures the genuine computational richness of biological cognition. The current consensus, while defensible given gate-model limitations, mistakes one frozen form of quantum computing for all possible forms. Life shows us a different way: not isolating from noise, but structuring it into a computational ally. This roadmap presents: (1) the physical basis for room-temperature quantum coherence; (2) four candidate hardware architectures; (3) a five-phase research agenda spanning 2025-2040; (4) the theoretical foundations that explain why a warm quantum observer might be invisible to its own formalism; and (5) investment and policy recommendations. Throughout, we maintain a rigorous, skeptical stance: no appeals
This paper proposes a novel quantum computer architecture design rooted in the principles of quantum biology. Traditional quantum computing architectures often struggle with decoherence and scalability, presenting significant hurdles to practical implementation. This work posits that quantum effects, previously observed and utilized within biological systems, offer a potentially more robust and efficient approach. Specifically, we explore how processes like quantum entanglement, quantum tunneling, and quantum coherence – frequently employed by biological organisms for tasks ranging from photosynthesis to bird navigation – can be harnessed within a computational framework. The core claim is that by directly mimicking and leveraging these biological mechanisms, we can design quantum computer architectures exhibiting improved fidelity, reduced error rates, and enhanced scalability. The architecture presented here incorporates several key elements, including a novel qubit design inspired by photosynthetic reaction centers and a control system modeled after biological feedback loops. Mathematical formulations are provided to illustrate the principles of operation and to quantify the potential improvements. The research presents a fundamental shift in perspective, transitioning from purely physics-based approaches to one that draws upon the remarkable efficiency and resilience found in nature's quantum systems.
Description / Abstract: A central dogma of modern quantum information science asserts that macroscopic quantum superposition in solid-state devices requires millikelvin cryogenic environments (T≈10–15mK) to freeze out thermal phononic decoherence. Conversely, natural biological complexes---such as the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) photosynthetic light-harvesting complex and avian cryptochrome magnetoreceptors---sustain functional electronic and spin quantum coherences at physiological temperatures (T≈300K). Biology resolves the thermal paradox not by suppressing environmental thermal fluctuations, but by employing structured, non-Markovian vibronic protein environments that actively harvest ambient heat to dynamically repump coherent phase trajectories. This treatise establishes the theoretical foundation and solid-state engineering architecture for Biomimetic Phononic Channels (BPCs) that replicate biological coherence mechanisms in artificial solid-state qubit platforms: (1) We formulate a non-Markovian open quantum Hamiltonian wherein engineered acoustic modes couple resonantly to electronic spin and transmon transitions, creating an underdamped vibronic shield with structured Lorentzian spectral densities; (2) We demonstrate the Environment-Assisted Quantum Transport (ENAQT) harvesting mechanism, proving that tuned non-Markovian phonon modes convert broadband thermal noise into constructive phase-locking drivers, attenuating the pure dephasing rate Γϕ→0 even as kBT≫ℏωqubit; and (3) We generalize our foundational Adaptive Phonon-Gate into the Generalized Adaptive Phonon-Gate (GAPG), utilizing piezoelectric lithium niobate (LiNbO3) and diamond acoustic metamaterial superlattices to vent destructive incoherent high-frequency phonons while confining constructive vibronic modes. We present rigorous master equations, finite-element phononic bandgap dispersions, and benchmarking projections establishing a direct pathway toward room-temperature fault-tolerant quantum computation.
Two Pillars and the Secret of Life. From Isolation to Resonance For decades, physics and biology have told the story of life in the language of thermodynamics: as a ceaseless struggle against entropy. In this paradigm, the organism is a besieged fortress. To survive, it must build walls membranes, barriers, isolation and protect its fragile order against the relentless 300 Kelvin that strives to disperse every structure. The Two Pillars theory reverses this image. In open systems, stability need not come from isolation. It can come from dynamic matching: from entering a regime where the environment is not a "background," but an object with structure and memory to which the system can tune itself. In other words: order is not always built against noise. Sometimes order is built with it as if noise played the role of a carrier wave. This approach is primarily engineering-oriented. It does not require a romantic thesis about "long coherence in biology." It only requires acknowledging that energy transport at 300 K can be supported by structured environmental correlations if we can recognize and utilize them operationally. The Ficus Algorithm: A Memory Engineer in the Kitchen The best intuition for this idea comes from the Ficus standing in my kitchen. This is not laboratory proof it is a metaphor that organizes thinking. Looking at a leaf, it is easier to understand the difference between "isolating" and "tuning." In the language of the Two Pillars, the Ficus looks like a system that executes two steps: Pillar I Reconstruction (Telemetry): The system "knows" which environmental bands matter. In biology, this is encoded in the structure and dynamics of protein complexes that resonate with the typical energetic and vibrational scales of the surroundings. What we call structure can be treated as "frozen knowledge" about the statistics of the environment: about where the environment is stable and where it is destructive. Pillar II Homeostasis (Lock-in): The system does not leave energy transport to chance. In biology, this role is played by conformational and chemical cycles that maintain the functional state despite fluctuations. This is active synchronization: not so much "stopping the heat," but ensuring energy reaches its destination before it turns into heat—that is, ensuring transport time beats dissipation time. This is the core: photosynthesis does not need a logical state like Shor's algorithm. It needs efficient energy transport at 300 K. And this is exactly the field where the Two Pillars have a natural application. The Secret of Life: Environmental Telemetry The deepest consequence of this framework is simple: life can be described as a form of telemetry and tuning. Organisms are systems that have learned to "read" the structure of the environment those non-Markovian correlations that simple models toss into the "noise" bag and use them to sustain their own dynamics. In this language, "aliveness" corresponds to entering a narrow band of stability: the coherence ridge a region in the parameter landscape where matching the environmental structure boosts performance. And "death" can be described not metaphysically, but cybernetically: as a loss of lock, a loss of the ability to maintain alignment. The system then falls from the ridge into the thermal background. Conclusion: Quantum Biomimetics as a Control Strategy If we want to build high-efficiency artificial photosynthesis or room-temperature quantum control systems, we do not need to copy the plant's biochemistry. That is too difficult and unnecessary. It is enough to copy the control strategy: treat the environment as a structured resource, reconstruct its "memory" (Pillar I), build a drive that tunes into it (Pillar II), and then distinguish the real mechanism from artifacts via preregistered ablations. Instead of building ever-larger cryogenic fridges, one can build adaptive filters. Epilogue: On December 14 and again on December 18, 2025, I submitted the manuscript “Two Pillars of Coherence: Harnessing Environmental Memory for Room-Temperature Quantum Control” to Nature Physics. This is a technical description of the same intuition: that order can endure in a world ruled by fluctuations if the system can turn environmental memory into a reference signal. Regardless of the editorial decision, the thesis remains: The Two Pillars are not just a protocol. They are a language in which one can describe how stability is sometimes achieved not by isolation, but by resonance and alignment. Special Acknowledgement I would like to express my intellectual gratitude to Jürgen Landes. His paper "Discovering Maximum Entropy Knowledge" (Erkenntnis, 2024) was the spark that ignited these further considerations. It was his rigorous treatment of Inverse MaxEnt that inspired the shift towards Active Memory Engineering.Jürgen ! chapeau bas... Philip Rey 18.12.2025