The U.K. government is heavily investing in the quantum technology sector, with a commitment to spend £2.5 billion over ten years as part of a National Quantum Strategy. The goal is to support the development of commercially viable quantum technology by 2033. While the sector is still in its early stages, entrepreneurs working on the development of quantum computers believe that commercial applications on a larger scale will not be seen for another five to ten years.
One area of the quantum industry that is already producing and selling products commercially is quantum sensing. Companies like Cerca Magnetics and Delta.g are using quantum mechanics to provide alternatives to traditional scanning and sensing technologies. Cerca Magnetics, for example, has developed a wearable brain scanner that uses lasers to detect magnetic activity in the brain, with applications in research on conditions like autism, epilepsy, and dementia.
Cerca Magnetics, a joint venture between the University of Nottingham and Magnetic Shields, has seen success with sales of their brain scanner exceeding expectations. Similarly, Delta.g, a spin-out from the University of Birmingham, provides a system for detecting underground structures like pipes by mapping gravity variations. Both companies have garnered investments and grants to develop their technologies further.
The main challenge for companies in the quantum sensing sector is to gain approvals for their products to be used in clinical settings, rather than just for research purposes. Winning approval is a priority for companies like Cerca Magnetics, as the potential societal impact of their technology is significant. Delta.g, on the other hand, sees a wide range of use cases for their technology and aims to make their system more portable and applicable in various environments.
The U.K. government’s support for quantum startups primarily comes through the National Quantum Technologies Programme, which provides grants, competitions, and test bed facilities. While the development of quantum computing is a long-term bet, some technologies in the quantum sensing sector are already making an impact in the here and now. With the right approvals and continued investment, quantum technology startups in the U.K. have the potential to grow and address real-world problems in various industries.
