Government support to get quantum working faster, as 14 projects sharing more than £14m through Innovate UK’s Quantum Sensing Mission Primer awards
The government is aiming to support the UK’s health, defence and energy sectors by funding de developments in quantum computing.
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It’s hoped that the technology will make possible a range of pioneering new applications, from more portable and affordable eye scanners in hospitals, ways to better manage the transport network so as to reduce delays and disruption, and tools to screen blood tests for cancer faster.
The idea behind quantum computing is to make use of the extraordinary properties of particles at the smallest scales. At sub-atomic scales, the normal rules of physics don’t apply. Whereas a conventional computer must work through a number of calculations one after the other, a quantum computer can perform them simultaneously – and produce the answer at much greater speed. That has huge potential for a range of complex computational applications.
Innovate UK’s Quantum Sensing Mission Primer awards has allocated more than £14m to be shared between 14 projects developing this kind of potential through next-generation sensors. These include a new type of portable eye scanner that it is hoped could replace the large and expensive OCT machines currently relied on hospitals.
Another project involves a new type of sensor that would enable civil engineers to detect buried structures without the need for costly excavation works. Altogether, the projects cover different aspects of healthcare, transport, energy and defence.
Among the companies being supported by the new funding are UK tech spinouts such as Cerca Magnetics, which was founded as a result of research conducted at the University of Nottingham.
The funding announcements coincide with the National Quantum Technologies Showcase in London, which brings together thousands of researchers, investors and global policymakers. Indeed, a range of funding initiatives worth millions of points were announced ahead of the showcase, including international partnerships that aim to keep the UK at the forefront of quantum globally.
Lord Vallance, the Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, says: ‘Quantum technologies are changing the world – from ultra-sensitive sensors to help diagnose diseases through to the potential of a new type of computer that can do things in seconds that would take today’s computers decades to compute. The UK already has considerable strengths and lots of exciting new companies have sprung up in the UK. The funding and agreements being announced today aim to support this exciting and important growth area right across the country.’
Jonathan Legh-Smith, Executive Director of UKQuantum, adds: ‘The achievements of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme over the last 10 years have positioned the UK as one of the world’s leading quantum nations. Our companies have developed world leading technologies across the whole quantum domain – including sensing, imaging, clocks and computing – with strong engagements across sectors such as transport, finance, telecommunications and defence. The announcements today demonstrate the translation of innovation to commercial reality is already well underway in the UK.’
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