Aquark Technologies awarded €1.6 million Innovate UK contract for quantum timing systems development

Aquark Technologies Awarded €1.6 Million Contract by Innovate UK for Deployable Cold Atom-Based Atomic Clock

Aquark Technologies, a pioneering company based in Eastleigh specializing in miniaturizing deployable sensing and timing technologies using cold atoms, has recently announced that it has secured a €1.6 million (£1.4 million) contract from Innovate UK.

The contract aims to support the deployment of Aquark’s cold atom-based atomic clock, AQlock, at a significant telecommunications site in the UK. Notably, NPL and Purbrook are subcontractors on the project, which is scheduled to run until March 2026.

Alexander Jantzen, the COO and co-founder of Aquark Technologies, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration with Innovate UK, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the country’s telecommunications infrastructure for national security and economic stability.

In a broader context, there has been a notable trend of funding activities in the quantum technology sector across Europe. Companies like QT Sense, Zero Point Motion, and QFX in the Netherlands and the UK have received substantial investments to advance their respective quantum technologies.

Aquark’s government-backed contract aligns with the ongoing efforts to bolster the UK and Europe’s position in practical quantum technologies through a combination of public and private investments.

Jantzen highlighted the significance of AQlock 2 in reducing the UK’s reliance on vulnerable satellite signals, thereby enhancing network resilience and minimizing potential disruptions that could lead to substantial economic losses.

Established in 2021, Aquark Technologies focuses on delivering compact and deployable cold atom quantum hardware to enhance precision and stability in critical industry operations. The company’s expertise in quantum, vacuum engineering, micro-fabrication, and photonics enables the development of robust and energy-efficient quantum hardware for diverse applications.

AQlock offers distributed, GNSS-independent positioning, navigation, and timing solutions, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the UK’s critical infrastructure performance. Innovate UK’s support for the project underscores the importance of demonstrating AQlock’s commercial viability and its potential to bolster national infrastructure.

Aquark’s selection by Innovate UK followed a competitive application process, showcasing the company’s successful collaborations with NPL, the Royal Navy, and previous engagements with Innovate UK. The current contract marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges associated with GNSS outages and aligns with the UK’s National Quantum Strategy objectives.

The project’s focus on delivering robust telecommunications networks and strengthening national infrastructure underscores Aquark’s commitment to advancing scalable quantum sensing solutions and reinforcing the UK’s leadership in quantum technology.