5 minute read
Each year, the UK’s quantum research brings quantum technologies closer to commercial viability, and to realise this a symbiotic relationship between industry, government, and academia is vital.
One step towards successful commercialisation is building towards agreed-upon standardised measurements in quantum technologies in order to unify the UK and global quantum community. By establishing common benchmarks and protocols, these standards ensure interoperability, reliability, and trust across diverse quantum systems.
To move from research to commercialisation, the National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP) leverages technical expertise from across the UK to bolster industry access, develop essential standards, and cultivate the skills necessary for the industry's growth. In other words; a focus on supply chain, standards, and skills.
The significance of ecosystem collaboration in quantum technologies
A bright future for quantum technologies requires mutual interdependence between the pillars of industry, government, and academia to drive progress and maximise impact. Industry brings real-world applications and market insights with quantum advantage and the integration of quantum tech into a well-established classical "system of systems" as the motivator. The UK government provides strategic direction and funding support while having the common good as its goalpost. Academia offers cutting-edge research and talent development, oftentimes, acting as the innovator of new practices in quantum technology. Combined, these three pillars form the foundation for a thriving quantum ecosystem pushing quantum technologies' potential and applications toward maturity and practicality.
Building a sustainable value chain around quantum technology
As the UK quantum community evolves, each sector plays a distinct yet interconnected role in driving progress and innovation through the value chain: bridging quantum theories and demonstrators in labs to quantum technology products in markets, yielding real quantum advantage over (or in conjunction with) classical counterparts.
Industry
Industry injects capital and talent into research and development initiatives with a commercial and practical aim. With a keen eye on competition, companies fuel an environment where breakthroughs can be swiftly adopted for commercial use, and by extension, cutting-edge quantum solutions are translated into tangible benefits for society or the environment.
An enabler of this is the UK government's Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), which aims to tackle major societal issues such as clean growth and data management, through the NQTP. NPL is partnered with 23 industry-led quantum technology projects across various themes like quantum navigation, quantum computing, and quantum communications, providing access to its state-of-the-art facilities and, deep understanding of the quantum and classical metrology fields.
Government
Meanwhile, the government, through national strategies, provides a cohesive framework that aligns research with broader societal objectives. Its globally recognised funding commitments, including its pledge, through the National Quantum Strategy, to commit £2.5 billion for quantum research, innovation, skills, and more, supporting not only foundational research but also catalysing industry partnerships and international collaborations. To date, the UK government has funded 139 projects involving 141 quantum organisations through the Innovate UK Commercialising Quantum Challenge.
This approach to international cohesion is exemplified by initiatives like the 2022 memorandum of understanding between the NPL and the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) stating a commitment to collaborate further in the quantum field. Looking to UK soil, NPL’s memorandum of understanding with the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in the UK, to collaborate on broader quantum technology areas, quantum software included, is a link to develop and promote the embedding of benchmarks, standards and the National Quality Infrastructure to quantum tech from the very beginning.
The establishment of national research centres and labs, coupled with infrastructure development initiatives, strengthens the UK's quantum ecosystem.
For example, NPL participated in the Royal Academy of Engineering Commission’s review of the nation's quantum infrastructure, finding investment and targeted development of infrastructure critical to prevent deterioration of the UK’s leadership in quantum technologies. The report suggests six areas where quantum infrastructure in the UK can be improved.
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Increase access to, and investment in, new quantum technology infrastructure.
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Align quantum infrastructure upgrades with industry needs.
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Establish guidance and coordination for industry access to quantum tech.
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Encourage industry investment in quantum-specific manufacturing infrastructure.
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Provide strategic direction for quantum technologies with collaborative roadmaps.
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Ensure adequate skills, standards, and regulations for quantum technologies.
The UK government plays a central role in nurturing the needed skills to ensure a high-tech workforce for growing companies and research institutions. NPL supports the Governments skills agenda through developing courses, co-funding 117 PhD students and apprenticeships across the UK quantum ecosystem, and attracting international talent. NPL provides the hands-on experience in quantum metrology, crucial for these technical developments.
Furthering the skills agenda by utilising regional specialisation, like Scotland's advancement in optical quantum technologies or NPL’s new scattering-type Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy (s-SNOM) instrument in Manchester (a UK hotspot for Quantum Materials), underscores the government's commitment to bolstering hubs of excellence dotted throughout the UK, leveraging partnerships with entities like NPL to drive regional economic growth and skills development.
Finally, as regulatory framework plans begin to take shape, the government ensures the consideration of ethics and safety standards, building public trust and confidence in quantum technologies for the impartial benefit of everyone. This is exemplified in the Regulatory Horizons Council's suggestions on regulating quantum technology applications in the UK. The recommendations set out in the RHC report have been answered with the announcement of the Regulatory Innovation Office and with specific foci around Quantum technologies and associated enablers (think AI and future communications). It is important however, that regulation does not stand in the way of innovation’s progress but supplements and provides assurance for nascent technologies.
Academia
NPL has embarked on major collaborations with academic institutions to drive quantum research and education. A partnership with the University of Strathclyde, focusing on quantum technologies for laser systems and atomic clocks stands out - highlighting the interplay of skills and supply chain, particularly in and around Glentanglement®.
In addition, the strategic clustering of quantum research in first 10 years of the NQTP hubs like Birmingham and Oxford, facilitated by these collaborations, attracts talent and investment for economic gains. Involvement in the Sensors and Timing Hub, led by the University of Birmingham, showcased efforts to develop next-generation quantum sensors. Where in a separate example, the research collaboration with the University of Oxford through its Quantum Computing Hub resulted in discoveries in quantum computing’s units of processing called qubits and qutrits with the potential of qutrits for the advancement of quantum machine learning.
For current national research hubs of excellence, NPL directly supports the Integrated Quantum Networks (IQN) Quantum Technology Research Hub and the Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (QCI3). The former will explore the potential of an interconnected and modular quantum network, whereas the latter focuses on developing supporting systems for quantum computing. The three remaining hubs QEPNT, QUSIT and QBIOMED will also be supported with NPL providing guidance, expertise and technical assurance where needed.
The quantum landscape over the previous 10 years has seen an influx of spin outs and SME’s, many of which originating from the diverse academic environment, stimulated by the NQTP investment.
Spin-out companies, like Quantum Motion from the University of Oxford, illustrate the commercialisation of academic research, benefiting from NPL's support, such as aiding the research of higher-performing superconducting quantum chips, assisted in characterising the qubit modality spin qubits, quantum, and control, device testing in cryogenic conditions, and more.
There is a natural value chain formed from a convergence of the three pillars (industry, academia and government), the components of the quantum ecosystem, from R&D to commercialisation and its numerous enablers are critical to realise the potential of quantum technologies. Seamless coordination is required to facilitate value chain success and NPL is positioned as an impartial and trusted partner.
Encouraging collaborative relationships, driving standards, and providing expertise across the value chain, ensures that the UK remains at the forefront of quantum innovation, delivering real-world solutions that benefit the UK society and its people.
Quest for a Quantum-Ready World
NPL has demonstrated its role as a key player in advancing quantum technologies, standardising measurements, shepherding globally recognised quantum certifications, and unifying the quantum value chain as an adhesive force.
NPL's industry access programmes and consulting services develop skills and promote collaboration and knowledge exchange. As actors in the quantum ecosystem navigate the complexities of the quantum landscape, NPL invites stakeholders to join in further dialogue, collaboration, and innovation, moving toward a quantum-powered potential future grounded in precision, reliability, and excellence.
Contact the quantum team here
31 Mar 2025