ANFF-QLD Pivotal in Queensland's Drive for Quantum Revolution
The Queensland Government has committed $53M in funding to ignite a new era of quantum and advanced technologies development and application in Queensland.
ANFF-QLD’s enhanced capabilities will be crucial in driving Queensland’s quantum strategy, fostering collaboration between academia and industry and supporting more translation of ideas into reality.
‘This new investment,’ according to ANFF CEO Jane Fitzpatrick, ‘builds on the many years of state federal and institutional support into research and research infrastructure. Now is the time to capitalise on these investments and create the products that the world needs.’
The largest share of funding has been directed to the Quantum and Advanced Technologies Commercialisation Infrastructure Program to support the establishment of new and complementary state-of-the-art capabilities. This critical infrastructure will enable the development and manufacturing of semiconductor devices, cryogenics-based quantum sensing and computing components, and advanced photonics.
Griffith University was awarded $7.5M to expand the ANFF-supported Queensland Microtechnology Facility (QMF) to enhance its ability to fabricate power electronics products for industry and help establish a new compound semiconductor industry in Queensland.
The University of Queensland (UQ) has been granted $6.3M to establish the National Advanced Photonics Facility, the first Australian commercial capability in manufacturing and processing nanophotonics and optomechanics. A portion of those funds will enable our UQ Hub to expand its equipment and capabilities, further enhancing its fabrication capacity for advanced nanophotonics, optomechanics and related devices.
Another significant strategic investment ($10M) was awarded to University of Queensland to establish the Queensland Quantum Decarbonisation Alliance. This alliance will bring together 27 partner organisations, leveraging Queensland’s investment in pioneering quantum computing company, PsiQuantum, to accelerate the development and application of quantum technologies to address pressing decarbonisation challenges.
ANFF is proud to be a member of this Alliance, which will drive groundbreaking quantum decarbonisation solutions and position Queensland to be a leader in the application of fault tolerant quantum computing.
Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson lauded the grant recipients: ‘Queensland is home to some of the world’s most distinguished and innovative quantum scientists. By affirming our position as “The Quantum State”, with our proactive measures such as the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Strategy, we strengthen our role as industry leaders in the quantum age, ready to adapt, thrive and pave the way forward.’
This significant funding from the Queensland Government underscores its commitment to advancing quantum technologies and fostering innovation within the state. With ANFF’s instrumental role in enabling these groundbreaking projects, Queensland is poised to be a substantial player in quantum research, commercialisation, and applications that address global challenges.
Read the full statement from The Honourable Leanne Linard, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Innovation.
More details on the specifics of each of the grant programs is available at https://science.desi.qld.gov.au/industry/funding.
Posted: 3 October 2024
