Global quantum leader the University of New South Wales is dedicated to the understanding and utilisation of the quantum space, from research through to application.
The value of quantum technology and research is now widely recognised. Increasing quantum discoveries and their integration into our fundamental understanding of the world has enabled researchers to theorise and realise technologies once thought impossible.
Across the globe, governments and institutions are investing time and effort into understanding and utilising the quantum space. Australia is one such place dedicated to this cause, with Sydney being a particular hub. The University of New South Wales is part of Sydney’s effort to drive quantum technology in Australia, devoting significant resources and high-calibre researchers towards creating innovative technologies and collaborating with world leaders.
The Innovation Platform spoke with Professor Dane McCamey of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) about the future of quantum technology in Australia, as well as the work of the university in establishing itself as a key player in quantum research and development.
What is the current role and future potential of Australia in terms of quantum technologies?
Australia has been seriously involved in quantum technologies for over 25 years. We have a particularly strong quantum research environment for a country of our size, with significant clusters of expertise in most major cities.
Sydney is a global hub for quantum research and translation. It has scale and depth, supported by a well-connected ecosystem. As an example, four universities (UNSW, the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, and the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)) have partnered with the NSW State Government to form the Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA).
SQA is designed to help grow the quantum economy around the Sydney Basin. It co-ordinates training, builds a connected cohort of students who will form the core of a quantum technology workforce, and brings together industry and academic partners through a variety of activities and events. It also helps identify technology jobs for students, and has had a positive impact on the Australian, New South Wales, and Sydney quantum technology scenes.
Over the past five years, we’ve seen our research moving out into industry, through startups and established companies that are focusing more on quantum technologies. It’s important that industry translation of quantum technologies is well supported by a strong fundamental research capability in that area. CSIRO estimates that Quantum Technologies will support over 20,000 Australian jobs in the next 20 years, and contribute substantially to Australia’s export economy.
In May of this year, Australia released its National Quantum Strategy. What is the significance of this and what could it mean for Australia’s quantum future?
It’s a good time for quantum technology in Australia. The government has identified and understood the potential for the quantum technology industry to be an economic driver and has been supportive of efforts to grow the sector. They recognise Australia’s pioneering role in the development of the fundamental ideas that enable quantum technologies, and appreciate that now is a great time to build on this resource to translate technology into products.
The National Reconstruction Fund is a significant federal programme which includes a billion-dollar initiative to help fund critical technologies, including quantum. The National Quantum Strategy is designed to guide this investment. As Ed Husic (Australia’s Minister for Industry and Science) noted at its launch, the strategy will help guide this investment in research and development (R&D) as well as commercialisation, infrastructure, growing a workforce, and understanding the benefits that quantum technology in Australia will bring.
It also aims to make sure this quantum technology is trusted, ethical, and inclusive – things that people are also worried about in related areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Cathy Foley, Australia’s Chief Scientist, is leading consultation around the implementation of the programme; it’s exciting and we’re looking forward to seeing how it rolls out.
One element of the plan is the A$20m Australian Centre for Quantum Growth. It is intended to support R&D in the Australian quantum technology industry and help understand where the demand for quantum technologies may come from, and how Australian companies could engage with those emerging markets.
There’s been a lot of promise around quantum technologies, but this serious investigation into where that will have a real economic impact or be commercially viable in industry is important, and a really fundamental contribution from the Australian Government.
The Federal Government has also committed A$40m to running the Critical Technologies Challenge programme. The programme is designed to create better ties between Australian quantum researchers and industry, trying to support projects where there’s a real need for a quantum solution in industry.
Can you explain more about UNSW’s role in the global quantum space?
UNSW is a world-leading university based in Sydney, Australia. It is an exciting time for us as we approach our 75th anniversary next year. UNSW has been involved in quantum technology research since the mid-1990s, and has grown into a very strong, globally recognised centre. We’re home to established leaders like Michelle Simmons, Andrew Dzurak, Sven Rogge, and Andrea Morello, as well as a very strong cohort of more recently appointed academics, including Jarryd Pla and Maja Cassidy. It’s a dynamic environment for undertaking quantum research.
We developed the world’s first Bachelor’s degree in quantum engineering, as part of our efforts to train a workforce who can approach quantum technologies from both an engineering and physical sciences perspective. Our education efforts across Science and Engineering come with significant investment into new labs and training facilities, bringing together fundamental knowledge and know-how to help drive the industry locally.
Can you summarise some of the key spinouts from UNSW’s quantum work?
UNSW has supported two very large spinouts. One is Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), led by Michelle Simmons and spun out of her research group. SQC is focused on developing silicon quantum computers using a novel form of fabrication based on STM lithography.
SQC has an amazing capability to manipulate matter on the atomic scale, and uses this capability to fabricate quantum devices. Simmons recently closed a $50m funding round, the second major investment into that company after the initial investment by UNSW, the State and Federal Governments, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Telstra.
The more recent significant quantum spinout is Diraq, which has come out of the work led by Andrew Dzurak. Diraq takes a different approach to a similar technology, which is to leverage the technology we use to make CMOS – the technology used in most microelectronic devices – to make quantum computing devices.
Both of those companies are located on campus at UNSW, part of our broader Entrepreneurial Campus programme, which enables companies to co-locate on our campus and access the deep intellectual and infrastructure available in a world-class university.
The broader Sydney ecosystem is also very supportive of quantum technology companies. Whilst not from UNSW, some significant companies include Q-CTRL, run by Michael Biercuk, working on the technology needed to control and reduce errors in quantum computing and sensing systems. Quantum Brilliance, which is focused on diamond-based quantum technologies, is also headquartered in Sydney, and both have a strong international presence. There are listed companies now getting involved in quantum and smaller-scale spinouts around. This concentration of activity is important as it supports the inflow of talent and investment.
How is Australia working with other countries to accelerate innovation in quantum technology?
One area that is driving our work at present is AUKUS, the defence pact between Australia, the UK, and the US agreed in 2021. There are two components; Pillar One, concerning nuclear submarines and related technologies, and Pillar Two, focused on critical defence technologies, including quantum. We’re engaging globally with governments to support their understanding of the potential uses of quantum technologies for defence. This includes quantum computing, but also nearer-term applications for quantum sensors; quantum communication systems; and quantum cryptography, among others.
As part of the PLuS Alliance, a collaboration between UNSW Sydney, Arizona State University, and King’s College London, we’ve launched Security and Defence PLuS. One of the primary aims of Security and Defence PLuS is to identify ways that universities can partner with Defence and defence industries, across research and education, to assist governments in achieving the aims of that second pillar.
It’s not just our ability to make technology and translate it into products that is important, but also consideration of what the impact will be. The ethics of quantum technologies and the regulation around quantum technologies are factors we care about. At UNSW, we have a very strong focus on technology and the law, and understanding the important role that ethics, policy and regulation have in technology development, which is critical information for governments as they look to exploit emerging quantum technologies.
Another example of our international links is the newly established Semiconductor Sector Services Bureau (S3B), a partnership between UNSW, the University of Sydney, and Macquarie University. S3B is helping to bridge the gap between what a small-scale startup in Sydney is capable of and what is required to get devices fabricated in a global foundry. S3B is working with similar international organisations, and directly with these foundries.
This is another project that was supported by the three universities involved alongside the state government; it’s a strong partnership model that we see proving effective.
Please note, this article will also appear in the fifteenth edition of our quarterly publication.
