quantum research and development

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, working with a startup, has built a 20 millikelvin refrigerator, the extreme cooling unit required to operate quantum computers. Such dilution refrigerators bring quantum processors to temperatures near absolute zero and have previously been dominated by a handful of foreign suppliers, making the development a step toward domestic quantum computing capability.

Florida State University has received federal funding to build a quantum communication testbed designed to operate in real-world conditions. The facility will allow researchers to test quantum networking technology outside controlled lab environments, an important step toward practical secure communication systems. The announcement highlights growing federal investment in quantum research as part of broader national technology priorities.

The University of Illinois Chicago has joined the Midwest Quantum Collaboratory, a regional partnership bringing together universities to advance quantum science research and education. The move expands the Chicago university's presence in quantum information science and connects its researchers with collaborative efforts across the Midwest, a region positioning itself as a hub for quantum technology development.

Researchers have made exciton wavefunctions directly visible in an experimental advance reported by Physics World. Excitons — bound pairs of electrons and holes that govern optical properties of semiconductors — have until now been characterised indirectly. Being able to image their wavefunctions could improve understanding of light-matter interactions and support development of optoelectronic and quantum materials.

Researchers at Saitama University in Japan have developed carbon quantum dots from waste polyamide plastic, tuning their light emission across a range from ultraviolet to yellow-green. The work offers a way to convert plastic waste into useful fluorescent nanomaterials with potential applications in imaging, sensors and display technology, drawing attention for combining recycling with advanced materials science.

Researchers are reporting advances that combine X-ray technology with quantum sensing, opening new possibilities for imaging and measurement. The development suggests quantum techniques could make X-ray detection more precise, with potential uses in science, medicine and materials research. Details of the teams and institutions involved, and the specific applications being targeted, remain limited in early coverage.

Quantum computing is moving from research into practical use, and developers are being urged to build the skills to work with it. The argument is that as hardware and cloud-based quantum services mature, a new opportunity is opening for programmers to shape tools, applications and early enterprise use cases before the field consolidates.

Bolin Liao, an engineer at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has been awarded a grant to develop a quantum imaging platform. The funding will support research into imaging technologies that use quantum properties of light, a field seen as promising for applications from medical diagnostics to materials science. Further details on the grant amount and project scope have not been released.

Researchers report the development of a new type of qubit that could be around 100 times less error-prone than existing designs, using superfluid technology. Error rates are one of the biggest obstacles to building practical quantum computers, so any significant reduction is seen as a meaningful step toward more reliable, scalable quantum machines.

The Roadrunner Quantum Lab in Albuquerque is opening with its first eleven tenants in residence. The facility gives quantum technology companies and researchers dedicated lab space, strengthening New Mexico's push to become a hub for the growing quantum industry. Local and science outlets are noting the launch as a milestone for regional economic development and the commercialization of quantum research.

The Quantum World Congress is presenting Maryland as the Capital of Quantum, highlighting the state's growing role in quantum science and technology. State officials are using the event to promote Maryland as a hub for quantum research, investment and industry. The gathering draws attention to the state's push to attract companies and talent in the fast-developing quantum sector.

Australian quantum computing company Diraq is set to establish a quantum research and development laboratory in New Mexico. The announcement, reported by the Los Alamos Daily Post, signals the company's expansion of its silicon-based quantum dot technology efforts into the United States, adding to New Mexico's growing profile as a hub for quantum science alongside institutions such as Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Quantum Internet Alliance has secured EUR 47.5 million in funding from the European Union for the second phase of its research programme. The investment supports Europe's push to develop quantum internet technology, which aims to enable ultra-secure communication networks based on quantum principles. The alliance brings together research institutions and companies working on quantum networking infrastructure across Europe.

Researchers with the UNLOC project at Pennsylvania State University report developing exceptional electro-optic thin films, materials that convert electrical signals into optical ones with high efficiency. Such films are considered key building blocks for faster optical modulators, with potential uses in quantum information systems and AI hardware where data transfer speed and energy efficiency are critical.

Australian quantum computing company Diraq is expanding into the United States with a new laboratory in New Mexico focused on silicon chip-based quantum processors. The facility will support the company's work developing qubits using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques. The move strengthens New Mexico's growing position as a hub for quantum technology and gives Diraq closer access to US research partners and supply chains.

AFCEA International highlights how foundational quantum research and development is expanding what is technologically possible. The piece frames basic quantum science as the groundwork for future advances in computing, communications and sensing, arguing that early-stage research now will shape military and civilian capabilities later. It reflects growing government and industry investment in quantum technologies worldwide.

California has signed new fusion energy legislation and announced a $30 million investment in quantum technology. The dual move signals the state's intent to build on its leadership in advanced energy and computing research, supporting commercialization efforts in both fusion power and quantum science. The announcement was reported by The Quantum Insider.

Australian quantum computing company Diraq has announced plans to establish a research and development laboratory in New Mexico, United States. The move expands the silicon-based quantum chip developer's footprint into the US, a country investing heavily in quantum technology. Details on the lab's size, timeline and staffing have not been widely reported yet.

Maryland is partnering with South Korea to expand cooperation on quantum technology and advanced manufacturing. The agreement is expected to support joint research, investment and industrial development in the state, positioning Maryland as a hub for quantum industries. Details about specific funding, institutions involved or timelines have not yet been made public.