The University of Texas at Austin and Infleqtion, a global quantum technologies company, have joined forces to establish a center of excellence for quantum manufacturing called qNexus. The goal of this collaboration is to expand quantum-enabled device production to meet the growing demands of government and commercial sectors, as stated in a press release.
The Texas Institute for Electronics and Infleqtion (TIE) will work together to focus on workforce development, training, and equipping professionals with the necessary skills for quantum and photonic manufacturing. Their aim is to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity for quantum-enabled products in sectors such as energy, navigation, defense, and healthcare, according to the press release.
UT President Jay Hartzell expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "Quantum technologies will be increasingly important to both improving our lives and solving many of the societal challenges we face." Hartzell believes that Infleqtion's expertise in quantum physics will complement the university's world-class expertise in semiconductors, AI, robotics, and medicine. He sees this collaboration as a way to advance their goals and strengthen Austin and the state of Texas as leaders in quantum manufacturing, ultimately making a significant impact on the world.
Initially, the focus of the qNexus center will be on expanding production capabilities for critical devices such as a high-precision atomic clock, an ultra-wideband quantum RF receiver, and essential quantum components. These devices are not currently manufactured at scale anywhere else globally. Additionally, there is potential for qNexus to explore the production of other products, including inertial sensors, magnetometers, and bioimaging devices, according to the press release.
The University of Texas at Austin boasts a strong presence in the field of quantum research, with over 20 faculty members in physics, computer science, the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, and electrical and computer engineering working on quantum materials and algorithms.
This partnership between UT and Infleqtion signifies a significant step forward in quantum manufacturing, as it brings together academic expertise and industry collaboration to meet the increasing demand for quantum-enabled devices.