Quantum Technology

Developing quantum sensing and timing to reveal what remains hidden.

Changing how the world reveals the invisible

Quantum technologies have enormous potential to impact everyday lives, and researchers are now finding significant practical use cases in quantum sensing, imaging and timing. The QuSIT Hub is addressing key research barriers to enable scale up of these technologies, to allow them to be used more widely in support of economic growth and societal benefits. Professor Michael Holynski explains how the QuSIT Hub is working to translate quantum science into practical technologies that can be used in a variety of applications such as healthcare, infrastructure, transport and communications.

Changing how the world reveals the invisible

  • Gravity cartography in an underground tunnel.

    Next-generation atomic clocks and quantum sensors

    Imagine if we could detect underground hazards before digging begins. Cutting-edge research at the University of Birmingham has the potential to do just that. Using quantum technology, our researchers are developing the next generation of gravity sensors, capable of detecting sinkholes, mineshafts and landslides from deep underground faster and more precisely, averting potential catastrophes.

    Quantum - or atomic - clocks are widely seen as essential for increasingly precise approaches to areas such as online communication, navigation, or global stock trading, where fractions of seconds could make a huge economic difference. Our quantum physicists have developed atomic clocks that are smaller and more robust for deployment in the real world.

Accelerating the commercial development of quantum sensing, imaging, and timing devices will result in real societal and economic benefits. At Birmingham, we're focused on collaborations to ensure quantum technologies deliver their best for society.

Professor Michael Holynski
Professor of Quantum Sensing

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Working with researchers from the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Timing, spin-out Delta g is building a gravity gradiometry platform for mapping underground space.

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