Quantum Technology Hub Set to Launch in Birmingham with £100M Investment

By Anushka Malhotra

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Quick Read: A £100 million investment will establish a quantum technology hub in Birmingham, aiming to advance technologies with significant applications in healthcare, security, and clean energy.

Birmingham is set to become a leading centre for quantum technology with the establishment of one of five new quantum technology hubs across the UK. Announced by Science Secretary Peter Kyle, this £100 million investment will fund hubs in Birmingham, Oxford, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London, focusing on developing cutting-edge quantum technologies with applications in healthcare, security, and clean energy.

The University of Birmingham will spearhead the creation of the UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging, and Timing. This hub aims to develop advanced sensing technologies capable of detecting the invisible, such as identifying gas leaks before they pose a threat or locating hidden objects that could be dangerous. Additionally, the hub will focus on practical quantum sensing applications, including brain scanners for dementia and cancer diagnostics.

The funding for these hubs is provided by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), with contributions from the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, UKRI Medical Research Council, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The total investment from EPSRC alone amounts to £106 million.

Peter Kyle, speaking to The Guardian, emphasised the significant potential of quantum technology:

“We are at the foothills of where quantum technology is going to take us, and that provides a huge opportunity for British science and British research and development. If we get this right, we can become global leaders, which means not just solving challenges domestically and creating opportunities domestically, but being able to fully exploit the global market as well.”

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West Midlands Green Transport Innovators Secure Funding and Support

Nineteen small and medium-sized companies from across the West Midlands have been selected to participate in the Clean Futures accelerator, a business programme aimed at addressing environmental challenges in the rail and automotive sectors.

The Clean Futures accelerator, run by Connected Places Catapult, is an innovation initiative designed to foster advancements in transportation and sustainability. Each selected company will receive up to £50,000 to trial their green solutions over the next six months. These businesses will focus on areas such as clean transportation infrastructure, alternative fuel solutions, and sustainable manufacturing processes.

Among the selected companies are Aeroforge, Alucast, Composite Braiding, EnginSoft UK, Extend Robotics, GBR Rail, Grinsty, and Unipart Powertrain Applications. They will benefit not only from funding but also from tailored technical and commercial support, with access to facilities like the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation in Dudley and Coventry University’s Advanced Manufacturing Centre.

The accelerator will also offer networking and showcasing opportunities, connecting participants with industry experts and potential investors. The initiative is part of the West Midlands Innovation Accelerator, which aims to enhance the region’s R&D and innovation capabilities.

Alex Cousins, regional director at Connected Places Catapult, said:

“Clean Futures is placing the West Midlands at the heart of the green industrial revolution. We’ve seen significant successes from the first cohort of businesses, and I’m excited to see what this new group can achieve.”

Coventry University’s Professor Marcos Kauffman added:

“This programme is vital in moving the region towards its net-zero goals by 2041. The first cohort has already seen considerable success, and we look forward to supporting the next wave of green transport innovators.”

In its second year, the Clean Futures accelerator has already supported 20 SMEs, with 18 entering discussions with new customers. So far, the programme has secured £2.6 million in contracts, with £43 million more in the pipeline.

By Anushka Malhotra

6 Sep