Phillip Hammond MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced during a visit to Glasgow on Thursday, September 6 that more than £80 million will be given over five years to four world leading development centres to create technology that could help save more lives in search-and-rescue missions, hostage situations and help firefighters tackling a blaze.
In future quantum imaging technology could be used to help emergency services get a more accurate, live and high-quality image before embarking on rescue attempts. The technology will also be used to see through snow storms, around corners and map hidden underground hazards.
Quantum imaging technology could be used to provide high quality medical images using light instead of x-rays and could also be fitted to cars to help drivers see around corners.
Mr Hammond said: “The UK is a world leader in quantum technologies, but others are investing hard to catch up with us. The £80 million in new funding that I have announced today will ensure that we remain at the forefront of this exciting technological revolution.
“Technological leadership boosts our economy and our productivity, meaning higher growth and higher wages.”
QuantIC, the UK Quantum Technology Hub in Quantum Enhanced Imaging, is one of four UK quantum hubs which were launched in 2014 with the support of £270 million in funding from the UK Government’s National Quantum Technology Programme.
The University of Glasgow’s Professor Miles Padgett is QuantIC’s principal investigator. Professor Padgett said: “This announcement reflects the UK Government’s continuing confidence in our country’s expertise in quantum research and development, and we’re proud that the achievements of QuantIC’s academic and industrial partners will continue to be funded at a high level for the next five years.
“Over the last four years, we’ve been working on some really exciting projects such as cameras which can more affordably and effectively image gases for easier detection, use single-pixel sensors to make three-dimensional images, and see around corners. We’re very much looking forward to see how far we can take things with this support of this additional funding.”
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