In September 2016, the University of Birmingham hosted the Quantum UK 2016 Conference – the second annual academic meeting of the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.
Established by the UK Government in December 2014, the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme aims to accelerate the translation of quantum technologies to market. The four Quantum Technology Hubs, led by the Universities of Birmingham, Glasgow, York and Oxford are focused respectively on quantum-enabled sensing, quantum-enhanced imaging, quantum secure communications and quantum computing.
Over 200 delegates from academia and industry attended the three-day conference at the University of Birmingham, to discuss the latest developments in quantum technology research from across the programme; hear from leading experts in the field; and discover how emerging research is being translated into commercial products, alongside the skills that are necessary to achieve this.
Leading key speakers included Professor Kai Bongs, University of Birmingham; David Delphy, National UK Quantum Technology Strategic; Professor Jonathan Home, ETH Zurich; Dr Svenja Knappe, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Professor Barbara Terhal, Aachen University; Professor Paolo Villoresi, University of Padova; and Dr Franco Wong, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Professor Kai Bongs, Director of the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology, said ‘It was a great honor to have Ian Walmsley here, who was giving a fantastic public lecture. This event will certainly be a lasting memory for the thrilled audience.’.
Highlights from the event comprised of eight themed sessions of three talks spread over the two days; a parallel poster session showcasing the latest research from the quantum research community; and a Quantum Careers Fair with key UK and international companies working in the area of quantum technology presenting employment opportunities for those with research backgrounds in this field.
Professor Ian Walmsley, Director of the Networked Quantum Information Technologies Hub (NQIT) and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation at the University of Oxford hosted a public lecture at the University of Birmingham following the conference on ‘Quantum Technology with Light and Atoms’. The lecture addressed some of the intriguing science that underpins the ideas of new quantum technologies. He demonstrated how this science is being applied to develop more secure communications, more precise sensors and faster computers.
Notes:
- The UK National Quantum Technologies Programme was established by the UK Government in December 2014 to accelerate the translation of quantum technologies to market. The four Quantum Technology Hubs led by the Universities of Birmingham, Glasgow, York and Oxford are focused respectively on quantum-enabled sensing, quantum-enhanced imaging, quantum secure communications and quantum computing.
