The futurestarts here
Latest news
Southampton scientist among EPSRC's Fellows leading the UK's Quantum Tech quest
The UK’s ability to lead the world in quantum science and technologies has been boosted by the announcement of a £12 million investment in key researchers, including the University of Southampton's Professor of Optoelectronics, Peter G. R. Smith.
The Quantum Technologies Fellowships are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and will support both the individuals and their teams to help realise the country’s potential.
Part of the £270 million National Quantum Technology Programme, the Fellowships are aimed at Early and Established career stage academics whose research focuses on the direct exploitation of quantum phenomena, such as superposition or entanglement, to address the challenges of translation of quantum science through technology to eventual application.
The Established Career Fellowship awarded to Professor Smith, Quantum Integrated Nonlinear Technologies for Enabling Stable, Scaleable, Engineered Commercial Exploitation (QuINTESSEnCE), will lead to the development of optical components for low cost and efficient wavelength conversion. These provide a way to change the ‘colours’ of single photon, offering breakthroughs in telecommunications, imaging and quantum science.
Announcing the Fellowships, Minister for Universities and Science, Jo Johnson said: Pioneering researchers from across the UK are investigating game-changing applications for quantum technology, from advanced communications to improved cancer detection and navigation services. We want Britain to be the best place in Europe to innovate, and this £12 million investment in UK research will support the next generation of scientists and secure our leadership in world-class quantum research.
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC’s Chief Executive, said: These Fellowships are a key part of the UK’s National Programme for Quantum Technologies; they will allow our current and future research leaders in the field to research, discover and innovate. They will push the quantum technologies agenda forward, make new collaborations both to source wider research expertise to overcome technical barriers, and to engage with the industry partners who will potentially utilise these technologies.
Quantum technologies use the properties of quantum physics to gain a functionality or performance which is otherwise unattainable. They promise future dramatic changes in the technological capabilities in several key areas, including secure communications, metrology, sensor technologies, simulation and computation.
The fellowships complement the other components of the national programme and EPSRC investments in Quantum Technology Hubs and Centres for Doctoral Training. The fellows will develop potentially transformative research that contributes to the development of novel quantum technologies, which is not being undertaken in the existing hubs.
For further information and a full list of Fellowships, please visit the EPSRC website.
Posted by rc2c12@sot on 29 Sep 2015.