Opportunities for Commercialising Quantum Technologies

Quantum technology is on the brink of a transformative leap, set to reshape industries over the next decade. In a bold move, the UK government announced a groundbreaking investment of £1 billion as part of its National Quantum Strategy, fuelling innovation in quantum computing, sensing, and communication. This funding underscores a growing recognition of quantum technology's potential to revolutionise diverse fields and drive economic growth.

At the beginning of this International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, we explore the diverse fields in which quantum technology is being applied, as well as some of the related funding opportunities.

 

Quantum Computing: Redefining Problem Solving

Imagine performing calculations at lightning speed—quantum computing makes it possible! By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, this technology can tackle complex problems that classical computers struggle to solve. Industries such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and logistics are eagerly exploring quantum solutions. With substantial investments from both government and private sectors, research and development in quantum computing are advancing rapidly. Collaborations among academia, industry, and government are propelling this momentum, making the potential for breakthroughs in cryptography, materials science, and artificial intelligence more attainable than ever.

 

Cybersecurity: Fortifying the Digital Frontier

As quantum computing evolves, it presents new challenges, particularly in cybersecurity. Classical encryption methods are potentially vulnerable to quantum computers, leading to the urgent development of post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Organisations are investing heavily in PQC to safeguard sensitive data against quantum threats. Furthermore, quantum key distribution (QKD) systems are gaining traction, offering a secure communication method that uses quantum mechanics to create encryption keys immune to eavesdropping. The demand for robust cybersecurity solutions is driving significant investment in these areas.

 

Quantum Networks: A New Era of Communication

Quantum networks promise to revolutionise data transmission. By employing protocols like superdense coding and quantum teleportation, these networks enable instantaneous communication using entangled particles. Superdense coding allows two classical bits to be sent between parties using a single qubit, while quantum teleportation transmits a particle’s quantum state without physical transfer, facilitating the transmission of quantum information over long distances. Quantum networks further provide the potential for extremely secure communication channels and distributed quantum computing, paving the way for a quantum internet that could redefine future technology applications and future digital economies.

 

Verification and Error Correction: Trust in Quantum Systems

As quantum infrastructures become more complex, maintaining trust in these emerging technologies is crucial. Quantum zero trust protocols integrate quantum technologies into security models that require continuous verification. Quantum error correction (QEC) plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of quantum systems by identifying and mitigating errors in qubits. The realisation of scalable quantum networks depends on the development of fault-tolerant quantum computing (FTQC), a quantum computing approach that ensures reliable operation despite the presence of errors in qubits and quantum gate operations.

 

Quantum Sensors: Precision Beyond Limits

Quantum sensors are setting new standards in measurement, offering precision, sensitivity and accuracy that surpass classical limits. Quantum sensors also operate effectively in noisy environments, offering reliability in real-world applications including fundamental physics, geophysics, navigation, environmental monitoring, and medical imaging.

Single photon sensors, crucial for quantum optics, quantum communication, quantum key distribution, and quantum imaging, are designed to detect individual photons with high efficiency and low noise. A notable type, Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs), utilise the avalanche effect in semiconductor materials, offering high sensitivity, fast response times, and room temperature operation. SPADs can detect very weak light signals and provide precise timing measurements, making them valuable in quantum communication, time-of-flight measurements, quantum cryptography, biomedical imaging, and LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles.

As demand for non-invasive tools in biomedical sensing increases, quantum diamond magnetometers have gained significant interest for their ability to detect and measure magnetic fields with high sensitivity and spatial resolution using nitrogen-vacancy centres in diamond. Research is especially exploring the use of these magnetometers and superconducting qubits in quantum-enhanced MRI scanning.

 

Navigating the future: Quantum Navigation

A study by the UK Government's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) suggested that a day’s worth of GPS disruption could have economic costs in the range of £1 billion to £1.5 billion for major sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, and logistics. In a world heavily reliant on GPS, quantum navigation is emerging as a game-changer. Quantum sensors, such as atom interferometers, can detect minute changes in gravitational and magnetic fields and inertial forces, providing exceptional accuracy even where traditional systems falter. The demand for quantum navigation solutions is on the rise, especially in industries like as aerospace, defence, autonomous transportation, maritime navigation and space exploration, where precision is paramount.

 

Funding and Future Opportunities

In March 2023, in its National quantum strategy, the UK government set out a 10-year vision for the UK to be a leading quantum enabled economy.

The UK government’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP) is dedicated to supporting research and innovation in quantum technologies. With £106 million allocated to five new Quantum Technology Hubs, this initiative fosters collaboration between academia and industry.

The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Commercialising Quantum Technologies Challenge further drives innovation across sectors including automotive, healthcare, infrastructure, telecommunications, cybersecurity and defence, offering over £174 million in funding to transform quantum ideas into market-ready products.

 

Additionally, Quantum Testbed Competition provides support for projects that design, build and operate testbeds for quantum systems, facilitating the testing and validation of new technologies.

The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) stands as the UK’s national lab for quantum computing. The Quantum Business Incubation Centre (QuBIC) collaborates with the NQCC and will support businesses developing products or services to make quantum technologies scalable.
As the quantum technology landscape continues to unfold, the potential for innovation and economic growth is immense. Welcome to the future—where quantum technology is not just a dream but a burgeoning reality!

 

Please contact Dominic Weston with any queries about commercialising quantum technologies.

 

This briefing is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice relating to your particular circumstances. We can discuss specific issues and facts on an individual basis. Please note that the law may have changed since the day this was first published in January 2025.