NSF invests $37.5M in quantum science at CU Boulder and partners

A $37.5 million investment from the National Science Foundation will expand quantum research at CU Boulder and 16 partner institutions, building on an initial $25 million award from 2020. The funding supports the NSF Quantum Systems through Entangled Science and Engineering center, now involving 39 researchers, and aims to translate quantum technology experiments into practical applications. “We’re leaders in building quantum technology tools and applying them to meaningful scientific problems,” said physicist Jun Ye, a JILA fellow leading the center, while researchers also pursue biomedical sensors capable of detecting disease through analysis of human breath.

NSF Q-SEnSE Center Advances Quantum Technology & Research

This latest $37.5 million in funding aims to translate laboratory advancements into practical technologies, with a particular focus on applications extending beyond fundamental computing. Ye stated, “There are still a lot of unknowns in the universe, and only by building some of the most sensitive instruments can we get some clue of what is behind them.” The center’s research portfolio includes the development of atomic clocks, lasers achieving high stability, and biomedical sensors designed for rapid disease detection through analysis of human breath.

These sensors represent a shift toward direct health applications, moving beyond the traditionally theoretical focus of quantum technology. Greg Rieker, a professor in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering and a co-principal investigator of NSF Q-SEnSE, draws a parallel between this current push and the space race, noting that “A remarkable number of modern technologies have roots in the space race,” and that similar technologies are emerging from the quantum revolution.

The same optical frequency comb technology utilized in these advanced clocks and networks can also be employed to detect trace molecules in the air, opening possibilities for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. Beyond sensing, the research is yielding tools for more precise measurement of molecules and atoms than previously possible; it has already been cited over 7,300 times in 96 countries over the past five years.

“You can use them to look at air quality or human breath to do a medical diagnosis. Those are just two examples of applications enabled by the NSF Q-SEnSE portfolio,” explained Rieker.

Inese Berzina-Pitcher, executive director of NSF Q-SEnSE, highlighted the center’s commitment to training the next generation of quantum scientists, noting that it brings researchers together from different disciplines and areas and is providing opportunities for graduate students to be involved in relevant and exciting new research. More than 30 quantum companies are already located along Colorado’s northern Front Range, and Ye recently received recruitment inquiries from an atomic computer company seeking to hire students.

CU Boulder chancellor Justin Schwartz emphasized the broader impact of the funding, stating, “This funding will accelerate the development of transformative technologies, support the growth of Colorado’s thriving quantum ecosystem and further strengthen Boulder’s position as a global hub for quantum innovation, in which CU Boulder continues to play a key role.” Brian Stone, performing the duties of NSF director, added, “For more than four decades, NSF has been laying the foundational groundwork of research and discovery that is powering today’s modern quantum computing, sensing and communication.” Physicist and JILA Fellow Cindy Regal underscored the potential for scientific discovery, explaining that “Quantum instruments can see minute effects and our team has the fundamental physics expertise to interpret interesting fingerprints in our measurements.” The CU Boulder-led NSF Q-SEnSE is one of eight NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes receiving a collective $290 million to advance foundational quantum research, signaling a sustained national commitment to this rapidly evolving field.