The UK Quantum Technology Research Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT) hosted two major launch events in February 2025 aimed at formally introducing the Hub’s focus on developing and commercialising quantum sensing, imaging and timing devices, and exploring the potential applications cross sectors, such as energy, transport and healthcare.
The first of the launches, which coincided with the Institute of Physics-hosted International Year of Quantum launch in Paris, took place on Tuesday 4 February at the Royal Society in London, and featured speakers and attendees from across Government departments, industry companies and organisations. Talks and discussions outlined the broader quantum technologies landscape in the UK, and how the National Quantum Technologies Programme – which is funded by Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) – has allowed the UK to benefit from the close academic and industrial collaboration.
Guests were also chosen demonstrators from GasSight, Cerca and DigiStain, as examples of technologies created from the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme through its research, industry collaboration and skills growth pathways.
The second launch event was hosted at the Edgbaston Park Hotel on the University of Birmingham campus on Wednesday 5 February, with over 120 people in attendance. Researchers from across the Hub’s consortium, which includes the Universities of Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Durham, Heriot-Watt, Imperial, Nottingham, Southampton and Strathclyde, as well as the British Geological Survey and NPL, joined the event in the morning to meet and discuss upcoming plans and strategies.
In the afternoon, representatives from nearly 40 end user and supply chain industry partners, such as BP, GCHQ and National Grid, met with Hub researchers to find out more about QuSIT’s key research areas and proposed technologies to be developed over the next five years, which include cameras to detect gas leaks, quantum brain scanners to enhance investigation of brain health disorders and epilepsy, and quantum sensing of gravity and magnetic fields to help increase resilience and capacity of critical infrastructure.
“We were delighted to host both launch events to mark the start of QuSIT for all of our key audiences. The success of QuSIT depends not only on our collective efforts as a Hub community to work together to build world-leading technologies, but also on our partnerships with industry to be able to bring this innovation into the real world, with the support of Government and policy-makers.”
Professor Michael Holynski, Principal Investigator, QuSIT
‘It’s fantastic to see the Quantum Technology Hubs come to life, marking an exciting step forward for innovation in health and care. At DHSC and NIHR, we’re committed to engaging early with quantum innovators to ensure they are co-developing solutions with health professionals to address real unmet needs. We hope the Hubs become focal points for collaboration, driving advancements nationwide. It’s vital that we work closely with quantum innovators so that they understand and navigate health tech pathways effectively and maximise available funding and support.’
Eve Worrell, Head of Science Strategy, Department of Health and Social Care
