This year’s Quantum Innovation Lab (QIL) workshop brought together representatives from leading technology companies with researchers from universities across the UK, to discuss how advancements in quantum technology can make their way to market in the real world.
Quantum technologies such as quantum computing and quantum key distribution, make use of the unique properties of quantum mechanics to achieve results beyond the reach of today’s technology.
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QIL is organised by the Quantum Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training (QECDT) at the University of Bristol which is training the next generation of researchers in quantum technology. Bristol is a leading city in the development of these technologies, with programs like the QECDT complemented by the Quantum Technology Enterprise Centre, a program training PhD graduates to grow their research into startup companies, and the Quantum Technology Innovation Centre, an incubator solely focused on quantum companies.
At this year’s event, four working groups were led by industry, with the team from healthcare specialist GSK interested in how the ultimate precision offered by quantum physics could be useful for medical imaging. Siemens was looking at how quantum algorithms might one day improve healthcare outcomes for a range of problems such as scheduling, diagnostics and analysis of medical images, all by using algorithms designed for quantum computers
Education networking provider Jisc was looking at the transition of quantum technology to market, for example by providing the fibre required for quantum networking.
Microsoft looked at how its Quantum Development Kit for programming quantum computers could be used to teach quantum concepts and to help the spread of quantum technology among technicians outside of physics and computer science.
QIL has been running since 2017, with previous attendees including Airbus, Hitachi, MSquared Lasers, Leonardo, Deutsche Bank and BT. As a result of the discussions, numerous projects have taken place, notably including collaborations involving PhD students from the QECDT.
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The second cohort of QECDT is starting work. You can see the first cohort at
www.bristol.ac.uk/quantum-engineering/news/congratulations-to-qecdt-cohort-1.html
Shona Wright
Shona covers all things editorial at TechSPARK. She publishes news articles, interviews and features about our fantastic tech and digital ecosystem, working with startups and scaleups to spread the word about the cool things they're up to.
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