UKRI backs UK quantum firms with a share of £50 million

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UK quantum companies are sharing a new funding pot. The Quantum Insider's Mohib Ur Rehman reports that UKRI's Quantum Technologies Priority Programme is putting 50 million pounds into projects in quantum sensing, positioning, navigation and timing. There is also 20 million pounds for quantum networking and 8 million pounds for skills

The funded firms show how varied the applications are. MoniRail in the West Midlands is working on finding rail track and signalling faults in places GPS cannot reach. Siloton in Bristol is developing a handheld quantum eye scanner, and ColdQuanta UK in Oxfordshire is building a mobile quantum radio for locating signals

Sheffield based Aegiq is among the firms backed in the networking competition, working on lasers and photonic chips. The skills funding will expand the QuEST Apprentices Programme, including a new northern branch, with the aim of reaching 150 apprentices by 2030

The investment supports the UK's goal of leading in quantum sensing by 2030, backed by up to 2 billion pounds announced earlier this year. Minister Chris McDonald and Professor Charlotte Deane are quoted. The announcement was first made on 13 October, so this is a follow up report

Sensing is often called the first quantum technology to deliver real value, and these projects support that view. Fixing railways and helping eye clinics are very practical goals. Apprenticeships are a welcome focus too, because skills shortages hold the industry back

Which of these projects sounds most promising? And is the UK right to focus so heavily on quantum sensing?

UKRI Backs UK Quantum Businesses With Share of £50 Millionthequantuminsider.com