IonQ shares rose by approximately 10% on September 17, 2026, following the announcement of a successful collaboration with Synopsys. The partnership demonstrated measurable efficiency gains in complex engineering simulations using a hybrid quantum-classical workflow.
The joint project integrated quantum algorithms into the Ansys LS-DYNA software, reducing simulation runtimes by 5.9% to 14.6%. The research was tested on four models, including a jet engine assembly and an automobile, and received the 1st Place Best Paper Award at IEEE Quantum Week 2026.
The tests utilized IonQ's 36-qubit Forte trapped-ion system, processing meshes with up to 35 million data points. The company noted that this system is capable of scaling to approximately 150 qubits.
This integration allows the quantum component to function within existing engineering workflows, potentially reducing product development cycles. IonQ has also recently acquired SkyWater and introduced the Superion 256 platform.
