Researchers at UCLA’s California NanoSystems Institute have received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to accelerate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies. The Quantum Sensing and Imaging Lab, led by UCLA quantum physicist David Leibrandt, is one of five pilot projects selected for the NSF’s new National Quantum Virtual Laboratory. This national resource aims to enable faster discovery and advancement of quantum technologies, with potential applications in navigation, telecommunications, medicine, atmospheric science, physics, and astronomy.
The lab will develop quantum sensors based on two-dimensional trapped-ion arrays, allowing for measurements with unprecedented levels of precision. The project brings together researchers from UCLA, the University of Delaware, Caltech, and MIT, as well as industry partners Quantinuum and Infleqtion. Other key investigators include Richard Ross, Mona Jarrahi, Aydogan Ozcan, Chee Wei Wong, Pri Narang, Alice Ho, and Shanna Shaked. The NSF’s National Quantum Virtual Laboratory represents a new approach to translating scientific ideas into fully developed technologies that benefit society, with the goal of democratizing access and building national quantum science capacity.
Accelerating Quantum Technologies: UCLA Receives $1 Million NSF Grant
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a one-year, $1 million grant to researchers from the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA as part of its new program aimed at accelerating the development and commercialization of quantum technologies. The grant will support the establishment of the Quantum Sensing and Imaging Lab (Q-SAIL), led by UCLA quantum physicist David Leibrandt, which is one of five pilot projects selected by the NSF to participate in the agency’s National Quantum Virtual Laboratory.
The Q-SAIL project brings together a multidisciplinary team of academic researchers and industry partners from across the fields of physics, engineering, and chemistry. The team includes researchers from UCLA, the University of Delaware, Caltech, and MIT, as well as technical expertise from companies such as Quantinuum and Infleqtion. The goal of Q-SAIL is to develop quantum sensors based on two-dimensional trapped-ion arrays, which have the potential to enable measurements with unprecedented levels of precision.
“Quantum sensing is a brand-new field with the potential to enable transformative new capabilities and applications in navigation, telecommunications, medicine, atmospheric science, physics, and astronomy,” Leibrandt said. “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to bring together a world-class, multidisciplinary team of academic researchers and industry partners to develop cutting-edge quantum sensors and put them in the hands of the user community.”
The National Quantum Virtual Laboratory: A New Approach to Translating Scientific Ideas into Technologies
The NSF’s National Quantum Virtual Laboratory (NQVL) represents a new approach to facilitating the complex and multistep process of translating new scientific ideas into fully developed technologies that benefit society. As a shared national resource, NQVL will surmount the limitations inherent in using solely brick-and-mortar facilities, allowing any qualified researcher or student to participate, regardless of their location in the US.
NQVL will broaden access to specialized research infrastructure by functioning as a geographically distributed national resource. Throughout its life cycle, NQVL will provide workforce training and education opportunities to grow the US STEM workforce, which will eventually lead the industries of the future. Democratizing access and building national quantum science capacity is part of NSF’s strategy to fulfill the scientific and technological advancements identified in 2018’s “National Quantum Initiative Act.”
The Potential of Quantum Sensing: Transformative Capabilities and Applications
Quantum sensing has the potential to enable transformative new capabilities and applications in various fields, including navigation, telecommunications, medicine, atmospheric science, physics, and astronomy. By developing quantum sensors based on two-dimensional trapped-ion arrays, researchers aim to achieve measurements with unprecedented levels of precision.
The potential applications of quantum sensing are vast and varied. For example, in navigation, quantum sensors could enable more accurate and reliable positioning systems. In telecommunications, they could facilitate the development of more secure communication networks. In medicine, they could lead to new diagnostic tools and treatments. The possibilities are endless, and the Q-SAIL project is poised to play a key role in unlocking these potentialities.
Collaborative Research and Development: A Key to Accelerating Quantum Technologies
The Q-SAIL project is a prime example of collaborative research and development in action. By bringing together academic researchers and industry partners from across multiple disciplines, the project aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of quantum technologies.
This collaborative approach is critical to achieving the goals of the NSF’s National Quantum Virtual Laboratory. By working together, researchers can leverage each other’s expertise and resources, leading to faster breakthroughs and more rapid translation of scientific ideas into practical applications. The Q-SAIL project is just one example of how this collaborative approach can lead to innovative solutions that benefit society as a whole.
Building the US STEM Workforce: A Key Component of NSF’s Strategy
The NSF’s National Quantum Virtual Laboratory is not only focused on accelerating the development and commercialization of quantum technologies but also on building the US STEM workforce. Throughout its life cycle, NQVL will provide workforce training and education opportunities to grow the US STEM workforce, which will eventually lead the industries of the future.
This focus on workforce development is critical to ensuring that the US remains at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements. By providing training and education opportunities, NSF aims to equip the next generation of researchers and scientists with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation and discovery in the quantum realm.
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