On 5th June 2024, Professor Michael Holynski - Principal Investigator at the University of Birmingham-led UK Quantum Technology Hub Sensors and Timing - was invited to speak on the Quantum Technology Hub’s overall missions and aims at the 3rd annual Commercialising Quantum Global event, a conference hosted by Economist Impact in London.
During the two days of the conference, the summit featured 111 high-level speakers who shared their experiences and best practices in integrating quantum technology into their businesses. Over 50 sessions were delivered, exploring how organisations can best prepare for quantum technologies in the short and long-term futures. The event included participation from over 780 global leaders, policy makers and business executives from 33 countries. Attendees had the opportunity to network with industry experts and explore potential collaborations and partnerships.
Professor Holynski discussed key field trials undertaken by researchers at the Quantum Technology Hub, and the various paths of technological development. An example of this is the gravity sensing research. In 2022, researchers reported in Nature that an object hidden below ground had been located using quantum technology – a long-awaited milestone with profound implications for industry, human knowledge and national security. This important breakthrough led to field trials being undertaken with the Royal Navy and also the creation of a new start-up – Delta g – founded by Professor Michael Holynski, Dr Andrew Lamb and Jonathan Winch in 2023.
Quantum-enabled networked radar is another key aim for Quantum Technology Hub researchers. In the past few years, two staring radars have been installed on top of University of Birmingham campus buildings, representing important steps in the journey to hosting the world’s first quantum-enabled networked radar installation, helping to showcase the impressive detection capabilities offered by quantum timing devices.
The event also included researchers from the Quantum Technology Hub’s partner institutions: Professor Mark Fromhold at the University of Nottingham was part of a panel session discussing how quantum sensing-enabled solutions can help people live healthier, longer lives. David Woolger from start-up company Cerca Magnetics alongside Dr Margot Taylor from The Hospital for Sick Children talked about how quantum magnetoencephalography is enabling functional brain imaging in young children and clinical populations. Dr Rhys Lewis from National Physical Laboratory (NPL) spoke about the critical role of metrology and standards in supporting the UK quantum ecosystem.
For more information about the UK Quantum Technology Hub Sensors and Timing, please visit the website at www.quantumsensors.org.
