DIN awards $1.5 million for world first Quantum science R&D
The NSW Defence Innovation Network (DIN) has facilitated $1.5 millions-worth of grant funding to two quantum science R&D projects through its Defence Industry Quantum Research Consortium.
The projects will be led by teams drawn from the DIN member universities along with multidisciplinary teams from industry and other NSW universities. Member universities are Macquarie University, The University of Newcastle, The University of Sydney, University of Wollongong, University of New South Wales, University of Technology Sydney and Western Sydney University.
The NSW Government, through the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, has committed $1 million of the funding and the Commonwealth Government’s Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group has committed $500,000.
“These projects are tasked with developing two game-changing prototypes with encapsulated quantum devices within a 24-month timeframe,” said NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte. “This will enable the creation of partnerships with the defence industry and drive further investment in NSW defence R&D.”
“DST is excited to be supporting this Defence Innovation Network initiative in quantum technologies,” said DST’s Cyber & Electronic Warfare Division spokesman Dr David Bird.
“One of the successful proposals closely aligns with Defence’s focus area of developing quantum technologies to provide navigation and timing capabilities when GPS is unavailable – DST Group’s STaR Shot of Quantum Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing (PNT).”
The second project is investigating the development of secure communications through the use of bright source single photon emitters with applications in distributed quantum keys.
Both world first prototypes will have TRL 4-6 (technology readiness level) and clear commercial application.
NSW is an international leader in the field of quantum science and technologies and the DIN’s objective with the NSW Defence Industry Quantum Research Consortium is to strengthen this leadership position.