Manufacturing
Nick Harris’s journey into technology began at the intersection of two fields that would shape his career: quantum computing and semiconductors. As a doctoral student at MIT, Harris delved into the world of quantum computers, exploring how they manipulate light for computation. Yet his fascination with solving real-world problems had begun even earlier, during his tenure as an R&D engineer. Fresh out of college, Harris immersed himself in the physics of transistors—the nanoscale switches at the heart of computer chips.
It was there that he witnessed a looming crisis: the voracious energy consumption of semiconductors. Not only were they guzzling electricity, but projections suggested their appetite would skyrocket over the next two decades. This realization stayed with him, even as he advanced in quantum research. The turning point came when Harris began contemplating a bold idea: Could the principles of quantum computing—particularly its use of light—be adapted to address the semiconductor energy problem?
This question became the foundation of Lightmatter, the company Harris co-founded with a mission to revolutionize the way computers process information. Leveraging his dual expertise in quantum systems and semiconductors, Harris envisioned a future where AI computing could be faster, cheaper, and vastly more energy-efficient.
