Quantum computing's development hinges on overcoming the engineering challenge of creating materials that can sustain quantum behavior, a task that requires balancing coherence, controllability, scalability, and manufacturability. Each leading hardware platform, including superconducting and semiconductor systems, relies on a distinct materials philosophy to achieve this balance. However, material imperfections at the atomic scale remain a primary cause of decoherence, undermining the stability of qubits. Researchers must discover and manufacture materials with precise atomic structures to mitigate this issue. The development of such materials is crucial for advancing quantum computing, as it directly impacts the performance and reliability of quantum systems1. So what matters to practitioners is that the pursuit of optimal quantum materials will drive innovation in the field, enabling the creation of more robust and efficient quantum computers.