27/11/2024
The UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2024 was held in London earlier this month. Judging by the lengths of the entrance queues, there is growing excitement and interest in this field. This is perhaps unsurprising, as many people expect that quantum technologies, and particularly quantum computing, will provide the next technological step change following the AI revolution.
At the conference, in their opening comments the UK government officials (including Dr Dave Smith, National Technology Advisor & Professor Sir Peter Knight, Chair of the UK National Quantum Technology Programme Strategy Advisory Board) were keen to stress the UK’s world leading position in quantum technologies. For example, private investment in quantum technologies in the UK is the second highest in world, second only to the US.
With the UK Government aiming to be a leading quantum-enabled economy by 2033, and the global quantum market expected to grow ten-fold in the same period, we expect to see a vast amount of innovation in this field in the coming years.
Quantum Sensing Leading the Way?
Although the minds of many readers will jump straight to quantum computers when quantum technologies are mentioned, the field in fact encompass a broader range of technologies including quantum sensing, photonics, and quantum networks to name a few. At the conference, it was clear that quantum computers and networks are still at relatively early stages of development, and photonics and quantum sensing were further ahead in terms of the level of current commercialization.
Below are some of the exciting quantum sensing technologies which caught our eye at the conference.
QLM Technology
QLM presented their Quantum Gas Lidar technology, which combines lidar with quantum -based single photon detectors to enable highly accurate detection of specific gasses, as well as details regarding the amount and flow rate of the detected gas.
The technology has been applied by QLM for detecting greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane leaks from gas pipelines. With methane being such a potent greenhouse gas, minimizing unnecessary releases of methane into the atmosphere is essential to slow the speed of climate change. QLM’s quantum enabled technology is sensitive enough to detect the exact location of any gas leaks, down to a specific container or pipe, as well as estimating the quantity of gas being released. This can help producers and transporters of natural gas to locate and repair leaks, as well as allowing authorities to perform monitoring of any emissions during enforcement of regulatory requirements.
A brief search reveals that QLM have at least six different patent families for their quantum lidar technology, with applications currently published or granted in the UK, US, China and Europe. Patent drawings from one of these applications are replicated below, and provide an example of the level of detail captured by QLM’s system.
Sonardyne
Sonardyne have also being developing application specific systems that make use of single photon detectors, namely in the field of underwater imaging and mapping. As specified on their website:
“Current sonar and laser imaging technology is limited by water clarity, range and amount of light. However, [Sonardyne’s new consortium] project will apply single photon imaging detection technology to generate highly detailed images even in low light, murky water and from greater altitude above the sea floor.
This new approach differs from other techniques as it relies on state-of-the-art single‑photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detection technologies, which allow for three-dimensional imaging even with extremely low levels of light returning through distance or turbid water. The system will operate at altitudes and speeds well beyond those which current optically based systems are capable of.”
Such underwater mapping systems are crucial in various marine environments, including during the construction of offshore windfarms. The detail provided by the single photon quantum sensors can provide high enough resolution to spot unexploded ordinance or the like on the seafloor before any construction begins.
Sonardyne have a patent portfolio of around twenty patent families developed over a number of years, and further IP could no doubt be generated based on their work with the latest quantum sensing technologies.
Cerca Magnetics
The University of Nottingham spin-out company Cerca Magnetics are another company developing new and exciting applications for quantum sensors. In particular, Cerca use highly sensitive optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) to detect magnetic fields generated by electrical signals in neurons in the brain (known as magnetoencephalography).
Optically-pumped magnetometers exploit the quantum properties of atoms to detect very small magnetic signals without the need for any large cryogenic cooling systems. This has enabled Cerca to create a wearable brain scanning helmet, enabling functional brain imaging to be conducted at a lower cost and be readily compatible with various participants, including both adults and children.
Cerca have at least one UK patent application, GB2411178.3, which is currently unpublished having being filed within the last 18 months.
CDO2
UK and German based CDO2 are also making use of optically-pumped magnetometers. CDO2 have developed techniques for non-invasively imaging inside of batteries using magnetic sensors including OPMs.
During the manufacture of batteries, such as electric vehicle batteries, manufacturing yields can be as low as 80% due to internal faults within the battery. This results in sizable amounts of electronic waste being produced, as well as time being wasted testing these faulty batteries at the end of production.
The use of quantum magnetic sensors such as OPMs can enable faults within the batteries to be rapidly detected earlier in the manufacturing process, as well as aiding the battery design process in general.
CDO2 have at least two patent families published since 2022, with applications spread across the UK, Europe and the US.
Summary
We are pleased to see so much exciting innovation happening in the quantum field, and for the UK to be taking such a leading role in developing these technologies.
Each of the companies discussed above have put themselves on strong footing by securing intellectual property protection for their advancements. As quantum technologies become further developed and commercialized, we expect to see many other companies following suit.
If you are working in the quantum field and would like to learn more about the intellectual property protection available to you, then please do get in touch.
This content is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
