Bluefors has expanded its US presence with a second laboratory, a 580 square foot facility at the UChicago Science Incubator, equipped with an LD400He Measurement System. This new space builds on the company’s initial 320 square foot Chicago location and directly supports the ambitions of The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, an Economic Development Administration-designated hub competing for funding to bolster US quantum manufacturing. “Bluefors is playing an important role in expanding the Quantum Prairie’s innovation capacity by providing early-stage startups, faculty, and students with opportunities for hands-on experimentation,” said David Awschalom, the University of Chicago’s Liew Family Professor of Quantum Engineering and Physics and the founding director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange. The expansion signals anticipated local job growth in cryogenics as the quantum sector matures, driven by the need for systems capable of reaching temperatures near absolute zero for quantum sensing, communications, and computing.
Bluefors Labs Expand Midwest Quantum Research Capacity
This addition complements their existing 320 square foot location at mHUB, demonstrating a rapid build-out of accessible cryogenic resources for the growing quantum sector. The new lab will house an LD400He Measurement System, providing critical hands-on experimentation opportunities for startups, faculty, and students, a need identified as crucial for driving the quantum economy forward. This partnership, led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange, facilitated the initial Chicago lab opening and underscores the company’s role in a larger, federally-supported push for quantum technology leadership. Sauli Sinisalo, Vice President at Bluefors, highlighted the company’s dedication to the Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana quantum ecosystem.
CQE & The Bloch Tech Hub Drive Quantum Manufacturing
Beyond laboratory advancements, the expansion of quantum technology is increasingly focused on establishing robust manufacturing capabilities, particularly in the Midwest United States. This expansion is directly linked to the efforts of The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, designated by the Economic Development Administration and led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE). The hub is actively competing for EDA funding intended to scale domestic quantum manufacturing, having initially facilitated Bluefors’ first US lab opening. Sauli Sinisalo, Vice President at Bluefors, further elaborated on their collaborative approach. “Bluefors is excited to partner with Chicago Quantum Exchange to further support the well-established and growing quantum ecosystem in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana,” he said, highlighting the company’s commitment to providing flexible access to cryogenic measurement systems through the Bluefors Lab network to accelerate quantum innovation.
Bluefors is playing an important role in expanding the Quantum Prairie’s innovation capacity by providing early-stage startups, faculty, and students with opportunities to engage in hands-on experimentation.
Bluefors is actively bolstering the infrastructure necessary for advancements in quantum technologies, extending beyond equipment provision to direct support of emerging companies and academic research. David Awschalom also noted that “cryogenics plays an important role in the quantum supply chain and will be a growing source of new jobs as the quantum sector accelerates,” framing Bluefors as a key driver of local job growth.
Bluefors is excited to partner with Chicago Quantum Exchange to further support the well-established and growing quantum ecosystem in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.
