The University of Texas at Austin and global quantum technologies company Infleqtion have joined forces to establish a cutting-edge center for quantum manufacturing. The collaboration formalized through a memorandum of understanding, aims to leverage the expertise of UT’s Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE) and Infleqtion to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity for quantum-enabled products in vital sectors such as energy, navigation, defense, and healthcare.
President Jay Hartzell emphasized the importance of quantum technologies in addressing societal challenges and improving lives. He expressed optimism about the collaboration’s potential impact on Austin and Texas, positioning them as leaders in quantum manufacturing and technology.
UT boasts a team of over 20 faculty members working in quantum materials and algorithms across various disciplines, including physics, computer science, and engineering. These researchers have pioneered the field of twisted 2D materials, an emerging area in quantum research with the potential to revolutionize energy systems.
The newly envisioned center of excellence, named qNexus, will focus on scaling the production of quantum-enabled devices to meet the growing demands of government and commercial markets. Initially, qNexus will support the production scaling of essential quantum technologies, including a high-precision atomic clock, an ultra-wideband quantum RF receiver, and core quantum components unmatched anywhere else in the world. Potential future products include inertial sensors, magnetometers, and bioimaging devices.
Infleqtion, with its focus on quantum information and software-configured, quantum-enabled products, is poised to play a significant role in this collaboration. Scott Faris, CEO of Infleqtion, highlighted the importance of leveraging UT’s capabilities to accelerate the time to market for crucial quantum technologies, including precision clocks and RF sensors vital for defense and enterprise applications.
TIE, a public-private partnership sponsored by UT, recently received substantial funding, totaling $440 million, from the Texas Legislature. This funding, coupled with a $112 million appropriation to the University in 2021, paves the way for pursuing local, state, and federal funding opportunities related to the federal CHIPS Research and Development and Manufacturing Incentives programs.
