We expect that Cambridge people will be able to add ideas to this new wave of technology that will change the world in a positive way.
- Claire Ruskin
A new national network of Quantum Technology Hubs was unveiled yesterday (Weds) by Greg Clark, Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities: £270m has been allocated to the programme, the centre-piece of which is the Hub network.
Cambridge is a key partner in the Quantum Communications Hub, led by the University of York, and which also includes the universities of Bristol, Heriot-Watt, Leeds, Royal Holloway, Sheffield and Strathclyde. Private sector partners include BT, NPL and Toshiba – as well as Cambridge Network.
The Hub is aiming for breakthroughs that will lead to widespread and affordable use of the technology. These include chip-scale integration based on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), reducing the size and manufacturing costs of hand-held QKD equipment, and the building of a UK Quantum network.
The new quantum network will be based initially on the National Dark Fibre Infrastructure Service (NDFIS) which currently links a number of the Hub’s university partners. The quantum network will be extended to other sites, providing a distributed test-bed outside the lab for developing, testing and demonstrating new quantum technologies and services. Access to the network will be provided for industry and business clusters within reach. And this is where Cambridge Network comes in.
Working with the Quantum Communications Hub, Cambridge Network will support engagement of local business clusters with the five-year project. The large-scale Government investment in Quantum makes possible development and support of business engagement across many sectors – including ICT, Finance and Health. Cambridge Network will help raise awareness of the possibilities created by the Hub for Cambridge companies, and identify businesses that are well-placed to take part in trials and become early adopters of Quantum-based systems and services.
The Quantum Communications Hub presents Cambridge business with a significant opportunity to be at the forefront of commercial engagement with the technologies as they develop. Such early involvement will benefit local companies as well as contributing to UK plc.
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s Chief Executive said: “These new Hubs will build on our previous investments in quantum science. They will draw together scientists, engineers and technologists from across the UK who will explore how we can exploit the intriguing properties of the quantum realm. The area offers great promise, and the Hubs will keep the UK at the leading edge of this exciting field.”
Companies already involved in the Quantum work include BT, Toshiba, e2v, M Squared Lasers, DSTL, AWE, NPL, Thales, Coherent Lasers, BP, Compound Semiconductor, GCHQ, Selex, Oxford Instruments, and Kelvin Nanotechnology and consortia are being led from Birmingham, Oxford and Glasgow as well as York. More businesses are encouraged to come forward.
Claire Ruskin, CEO of Cambridge Network, extends an invitation to interested parties and will be arranging a session to explain the opportunities. “We are delighted to be participating with members inside and outside Cambridge and expect that Cambridge people will be able to add ideas to this new wave of technology that will change the world in a positive way. Please get in touch if you would like to be part of this. ” claire.ruskin@cambridgenetwork.co.uk
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