Interview with researcher Morgan Mitchell: “Catalonia has the scientific and industrial critical mass to become a quantum hub”
Interview with ICFO researcher Morgan Mitchell, originally published at the online Journal of Universities and Research.
Barcelona, 21/12/2020.
A preliminary reflection: the quantum revolution is not conjugated in the future, it is already integrated into many facets of our daily life. Could you give an example?
A first example is the GPS system. To determine location, a GPS receiver (including those in Mobile phones) compare signals sent from satellites orbiting the Earth. Each satellite contains an atomic clock (one of the first quantum technologies). The clocks allow the satellites to send their signals at precisely the same time, even though they are thousands of kilometres apart. Because the signals are so precisely synchronous, the GPS receiver can precisely determine which signal took longer to arrive, and thus how far away each satellite is. In this way, the GPS receiver knows where it must be on the earth.
What is the origin of the QuantumCAT project to promote technology transfer and innovation of quantum technologies (QT) in Catalonia?
The quantum technology research in Catalonia has a long history, with many strong researchers working on the topic since the year 2000 or even before. As the worldwide interest in quantum technologies has grown, this community has grown to include industrial partners and has become increasingly active in development and commercialization activities. This includes international research and development collaborations, consultation with governmental regulatory agencies, and creation of startups to bring research products to market.
Will the development of QT be especially disruptive in terms of security and privacy of communications on the network?
Certainly. We are now in the middle of a transition from “pre-quantum” security technologies, which are based on assumptions about what is and is not computable on classical computers, to a different security paradigm, one that takes for granted the existence of quantum computers and offers appropriate communications security solutions.
In what other areas do you identify the greatest potential in the application of quantum technologies?
In computing, we expect to see quantum computers capable of solving complex problems that would be too difficult for classical computers. Special-purpose quantum computers known as “quantum simulators” will be able to compute the properties of materials, for example, new superconductors, or to help in designing new pharmaceuticals.
In communications, we have already secure communications methods that are “future-proof”, meaning that no matter what technology is invented in the future, it will not be able to decipher the messages we send today. These technologies are presently being developed for the mass market. One such industrial player is Quside SL, a spin-off of ICFO, and new startups in this area are being formed at a rapid pace.
In sensing, we will see new instruments that are able to detect faster and more reliably signals of many kinds. For example, sensors for magnetic fields that can be used to detect the electrical signals sent between different parts of the brain.
Does Catalonia have enough industrial and research potential to become a hub for quantum technologies on a European scale?
Catalonia does have a critical mass of researchers and quantum industry. Unlike traditional industries like textiles or Automotive manufacturing, we do not expect to see “hubs” based on a concentration of infrastructure, e.g. factories. Rather, we expect to see “hubs” based on the concentration of intellectual power – companies and academic research centres.
What are the keys to speeding up the passage of discoveries made in the laboratory to the development of viable applications with market potential?
There are many things that government and institutions can do to facilitate the transfer of Technology from the laboratory to market application, including specific financing for Technology transfer activities and for academic-industrial consortia like QuantumCAT. At the same time, we must remember that the most transformative technologies, for example, the transistor or the laser, emerged from pure research. We must continue to encourage curiosity-driven research if we want the flow of new ideas to continue.
ICFO appears as the coordinating entity of the initiative, but QuantumCAT has also found good reception in the fabric of research and industrial institutions in our country. What members does the project have?
QuantumCAT Hub brings together different types of members within the hub. The institutions that are considered members are non-profit organizations and research centres: ICFO-Institute of Photonic Sciences, i2CAT Foundation, Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS). Collaborators participating in some of the projects include the Institute of High Energy Physics (IFAE) and the National Microelectronics Center (CNM-IMB). Finally, it has associate members as companies or other organizations, including Cellnex, Everis, GMV, Grupo AIA, Keysight Technologies, KPMG, Qilimanjaro, Quside, Sateliot, SECPhO and Zymvol.
Este proyecto en favor de un hub catalán de QT está alineado con las conclusiones del Pacto Nacional para la Sociedad del Conocimiento?
Completely aligned with it. In fact, the programme RIS3CAT that supports QuantumCAT figures prominently in the Pacte Nacional per a la Societat de Coneixement, “A determined innovation for a Catalonia with a future”.
Do you have projections, in the medium and long term, that evaluate the scientific, economic and labour impact that Catalonia may have as a quantum hub?
Every economic activity has a certain impact on the society it inhabits. It is not the same to be a “hub” of manufacturing like Detroit, a “hub” of finance like London or Singapore, or a “hub” of gambling like Macau. Technology hubs often enjoy a high level of education and health among the population, alongside robust economic development.
One only has to think of Silicon Valley in California. 50 years ago it was mostly farmland, best known as the home of Stanford University. Now it is home to the world’s most valuable companies.