Sussex 'Quantum Silicon Valley' vision a step closer

7 hours ago

Peter Whittlesea,in Haywards Heathand

Hsin-Yi Lo,South East

University of Sussex said it was "excited" about plans to turn the county into a "Quantum Silicon Valley"

University of Sussex A researcher dressed in personal protective equipment is studying quantum technology closely inside a laboratory. They are looking through a circular lens with a large purple circle closer to the camera. — University of Sussex said it was "excited" about plans to turn the county into a "Quantum Silicon Valley"

A quantum computing lab in Sussex has raised more than £82m ($100m) from investors.

University of Sussex said the money would speed up the development of powerful next-generation quantum computers at its Haywards Heath research facility, Quantum Universal.

Quantum computers are designed to solve complex problems that would take current ones far longer to process, and could lead to advancement in areas such as drug development, new materials and cleaner energy systems.

Vice-chancellor Prof Sasha Roseneil said the funding meant bringing the university's vision of creating a "Quantum Silicon Valley" in Sussex closer to reality.

"This record investment demonstrates the calibre of world-leading quantum computing research developed at the university and the lab's success in turning that research into a global business," she added.

The university added that the investment would also help establish the county as a major player in the field and attract businesses and jobs to the region.

Prof Winfried Hensinger said quantum technology could help solve some of humanity's greatest challenges

University of Sussex A man in a dark grey t-shirt is standing in a laboratory with complex computing equipment. There are dark metal frames and poles with wires and cables running between them. — Prof Winfried Hensinger said quantum technology could help solve some of humanity's greatest challenges

The investment was described by the university as the largest ever secured by one of its research facilities and among the biggest funding rounds for any UK university start-up.

Prof Winfried Hensinger, co-founder of Quantum Universal, explained the significance of quantum computing.

"Normal microchips use classical computing processing techniques," he said.

"What we use is quantum bits, which means the computation is significantly faster.

"For example, it would take the current fastest super computer in the world thousands of years to calculate a solution for a new drug.

"But a quantum computer might be able to do that in a few minutes or a few hours."

Hensinger, credited as the first person to make a single atom move backwards and forwards at the same time, said 20 years ago many doubted a quantum computer was possible.

He added there was still no set timetable for the technology's completion at the research facility.

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