Denmark continues to strengthen its leading position in quantum technology. With major investments totalling DKK 103 million in four new quantum projects, three of which are led by DTU, the Innovation Fund Denmark is allocating a considerable portion of the funds in the national quantum strategy.
"We are proud of Innovation Fund Denmarks grants for projects in quantum encryption, quantum light sources and quantum computing, where DTU has strong research positions. DTU’s advanced research facilities and close collaboration with both universities and industry provide unique opportunities to develop quantum technology from basic research to concrete applications in society. This applies to everything from cyber security, climate research and life science to advanced computer-based modelling, where Denmark is making its mark internationally," says DTU Provost Christine Nellemann.
The Innovation Fund's grants for quantum projects will go to three DTU-led projects and a fourth project, HyperTenQ, which is a collaboration between QunaSys and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme.
The projects range from hardware (photon sources, quantum dots) to software, secure communication and network infrastructure. The projects involve international partners and companies and build bridges between research and application.
The three DTU-led projects are:
AccessQKD
AccessQDK will develop and demonstrate world-leading technology in future-proof data protection. The goal is to create a scalable, market-ready system that can be integrated directly into the existing telecommunications network and protect critical digital infrastructure against future cyber attacks. Innovation Fund Denmark's investment: DKK 25.9 million.
Partners: DTU Physics, Celare Quantum Communications ApS, The Polytechnic University of Bari, GlobalConnect, Partisia Applications ApS, Aarhus University
Read more about AccessQDK
EQUAL
EQUAL will develop new light sources that have the potential to revolutionize cryptography and networking between quantum computers. The technological vision of the project is based on combining nano-photonic chips with unique technologies in materials, nano electromechanics, nanolithography and quantum systems.
Innovation Fund Denmark’s investment: DKK 40 million
Partners: Beamfox Technologies ApS, Denmark, Technical University of Denmark – DTU Electro, Denmark, Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Humboldt University of Berlin, Lizard Photonics ApS, Denmark
Read more about EQUAL
QLIGHT
QLIGHT will design, manufacture and test high-efficiency light sources that can emit quantised light for use in future industrial photonic quantum computers.
Innovation Fund Denmark’s investment: DKK 18.9 million
Partners: DTU Electro, DFM – Danish National Metrology Institute, Quandela
Read more about QLIGHT
The Innovation Fund's new grants coincide with the launch of the EU's strategy in the quantum field: Quantum Europe Strategy. Maria Cerdà Sevilla believes that the strategy marks a major step towards making Europe a global frontrunner in quantum technology by 2030.
"It is inspiring to see a strategy that goes beyond groundbreaking research. It is about scaling ideas, creating concrete applications and investing in people. It is bold, ambitious – and exactly what Europe needs right now," says Maria Cerdà Sevilla, head of DTU's centre for quantum technology, Quantum DTU.
