Named QuantIC – the Quantum Imaging Centre brings together experts from across the the city and UK in one of four new Quantum Technology Hubs which are sharing in £270m in funding from the UK Government over the next five years, and is the only hub to be based in Scotland. The centre will be funded by a £27m award from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
The Scottish Funding Council has also invested £3m to create a new innovation space at the University of Glasgow. Companies will use the space to work closely with university researchers to develop prototypes of new technologies before taking them to market.
The single-pixel camera was developed at the University of Glasgow in close collaboration with Glasgow-based M Squared Lasers, has the potential to create affordable handheld video cameras capable of seeing areas of the spectrum only previously visible with large and expensive devices.
Professor Steve Beaumont, director of QuantIC, said: “The establishment of the centre at the University of Glasgow is an acknowledgement of the tremendous knowledge base we have in Scotland, including the world-leading James Watt Nanofabrication Centre, which will help create prototypes of new devices.
“We’ve committed £4m of our funding to working with our industry partners to ensure these exciting new technologies can reach consumers and contribute to the economy.”
QuantIC has already won the backing of the Scottish Government. Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP said: “QuantIC is exactly the type of collaboration between academia and industry which confirms Scotland’s place as a world leader in scientific innovation. I’m extremely pleased to see the centre officially opened today and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the first products reach consumers in the future.”
Professor Miles Padgett, QuantIC’s principal investigator and technical co-ordinator, said: “QuantIC is a tremendously exciting opportunity for the University of Glasgow and its partners, with real potential to create transformative new technologies.
“Our relationship with M Squared Lasers, which has supported the development of our single-pixel video imaging system, is an excellent example of the kind of industry collaboration QuantIC will create. M Squared are one of Scotland’s most innovative SMEs and we’re pleased to have them on board at QuantIC’s launch.”
Links
University of Glasgow: ‘Leading lights of Scottish science shine at quantum technology launch event‘
BBC Scotland: ‘Quantum Imaging Centre opens in Glasgow‘