SCIENTISTS in York are at the centre of a new £155 million national quantum physics technology hub set up to explore how the science can be used to develop secure communications.
York has been selected as one of four cities in the UK to be part of a new national network of Quantum Technology Hubs, joining Birmingham, Glasgow, and Oxford.
The new hubs are the centre-piece of the £270 million investment in the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme announced by the Chancellor in the 2013 Autumn Statement.
The York hub is being led by the University of York, which is joining eight other universities in Bristol, Cambridge, Heriot-Watt, Leeds, Royal Holloway, Sheffield, and Strathclyde to provide expertise and facilities for the five year project, which aims to exploit fundamental laws of quantum physics for the development of secure communication technologies and services.
The Quantum Technology Hub network was announced yesterday by Greg Clark, Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, Professor Koen Lamberts said: “Realising the potential of quantum technologies is a significant scientific and engineering challenge.
"York’s expertise in quantum communications across disciplines including computer science, mathematics and physics, is at the heart of a unique and exceptionally strong partnership that will drive the Hub towards its objective of exploiting excellent research to support UK industry and business.”
Private sector partners in the project include BT, the National Physical Laboratory, and Toshiba Research Europe Ltd.
The Director of the Quantum Communications Hub, Professor Tim Spiller of the Department of Physics at York, said: "Collaboration is key to the project, and our Hub has brought together a multi-disciplinary team of world-class researchers and industry leaders.
"We will take from across the partnership the best existing theoretical and experimental research as well as current technology demonstrators. T
"These will underpin the development necessary for prototype products and services that will stimulate the market and the consequent take-up."
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