Universities of applied sciences introduce society to quantum technology

This latter point was emphasised by Jetske Verkerk, MT member for Knowledge & Innovation at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, during a symposium on nanotechnology, quantum technology and photonics held at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS).

We are on the eve of a major turnaround, Verkerk claimed. Just as the mobile phone has changed society dramatically in ways that were hardly foreseen, a similar revolution awaits us with regard to quantum technology. 

Priority for the Netherlands and Europe

These technologies are going to change the way we live, work and innovate completely. Verkerk made the point that the Netherlands and Europe have foreseen this and therefore want to take up a leading position in quantum technology and photonics.

This is why the National Technology Strategy identifies quantum technology and photonics as priorities. In addition, there is considerable investment at the European level, through programmes such as Horizon Europe.

Innovations arise from public-private partnerships

The goal of obtaining that leading position seems within reach: the Netherlands is relatively far advanced in the development and deployment of quantum technology. Public-private partnerships are essential to get the quantum and photonics revolution off the ground, Verkerk argued. Innovations arise precisely from cooperation between state-of-the-art labs, researchers, students, start-ups and scale-ups. Europe is also investing heavily in these public-private partnerships.

'Just as the mobile phone has changed society dramatically in ways that were hardly foreseen, a similar revolution awaits us with regard to quantum technology.'

Jetske Verkerk

MT member Knowledge & Innovation at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs

Fundamental knowledge is not enough

On the other hand, the translation of fundamental knowledge to start-ups – and ultimately to social impact – remains a challenge for the Netherlands, Verkerk said. Universities of applied sciences help fill this gap like no other. ‘We need more than just basic research. The private sector is crying out for applied research as well as talent that can start working immediately. That’s where universities of applied sciences play an essential part.’

First opportunities are emerging

‘Universities of applied sciences are active at the higher Technology Readiness Levels(opens in new window); they make new technology ready for use by companies and society,’ said professor of Quantum Computing Marten Teitsma(opens in new window), who organised the symposium on nanotechnology, quantum technology and photonics.

At this moment, researchers and students from higher professional education are developing the first, fledgling solutions in the Netherlands that employ quantum technology, photonics and nanotechnology. To this end, universities of applied sciences are working together with start-ups, technical universities and senior secondary vocational education institutions in incentive programmes such as Quantum Delta Netherlands and PhotonDelta. A number of promising projects show what is already happening in the Netherlands in the field of quantum technology and photonics right now.
 

Detecting bladder cancer

As an example, The Hague University of Applied Sciences is developing a ‘surface acoustic wave sensor’, placed on a chip, to detect prostate or bladder cancer in urine. Cancer could be detected earlier than is currently possible thanks to advanced technology that measures the deflection of sound waves on the sensor – however minimal – in response to certain biomarkers.

This project, conducted by professor John Bolte(opens in new window) in partnership with TU Delft and Erasmus MC, is still in the research phase. However, the prototype of this sensor could clearly identify that someone did not have bladder or prostate cancer in 1 in 10 cases – already a positive outcome for Erasmus MC, as this could save many consultations in the future.

Analysing urine or blood with ‘photonic chips’

At Saxion University of Applied Sciences (Enschede), professor of Applied Nanotechnology Cas Damen(opens in new window) is working on using photonics for ‘bio-sensing’. Currently, a lot of time passes between the collection of blood or urine and its analysis. It would help if a result could be known within five minutes. To this end, the researchers are developing a solution based on ‘photonic chips’.

These chips(opens in new window) contain a biochemical layer that attaches itself to particles from the blood or urine. That reaction then changes the optical properties of the light-wave guide. At the moment, researchers are deploying these chips to detect abnormal insulin levels, which are an earlier indicator of diabetes than glucose levels (with a RAAK PRO grant).

Another application of photonics is that the researchers measure the internal bending of a catheter using the anomalous reflection on photonic chips – something that is barely visible on an MRI scan.

New solution for agriculture and horticulture sector

Close to the Westland region, researchers and students from The Hague University of Applied Sciences are working on photonics applications for growing vegetables and fruit in greenhouses. Under the supervision of professor of Photonics Steven van den Berg,(opens in new window) they have developed a camera that uses spectral imaging – a highly accurate analysis of wavelengths and colours – to detect diseases in plants at a very early stage.

With this, they can easily detect mould on rose leaves or rot inside sweet peppers – something not visible from the outside. This application, self-printed and self-built (based on a black-and-white camera and several colour LEDs) costs 350 euros, while spectral cameras with a similar functionality cost 50,000 euros.

Analysing the Dutch subsurface and black holes

One application of quantum technology is ‘quantum sensing’, which is used to detect very weak electromagnetic fields by measuring change at the quantum level. This technology makes it possible to navigate without GPS, which is increasingly necessary in these times of geopolitical turmoil.

At the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Marcel van der Horst(opens in new window) is working on another application, namely subsurface measurement, in partnership with High Tech Alliance, the Port of Amsterdam and Alliander. The energy transition requires the removal of many gas pipelines, which will lead to 100,000 excavations a year (2030) in the foreseeable future. Together with students, Van der Horst is developing a highly sensitive system with a quantum magnetometer, which can detect the electromagnetic fields of pipes, ducts and cables.

AUAS researcher Taha Selim (also involved in the Master’s programme in Applied Quantum Technology) is using quantum machine learning to gain a better understanding of the behaviour of metal ions in hot plasma, which occurs around black holes in the universe. He is developing models that are capable of predicting this behaviour with the aid of sensors on satellites.

Students learn new ways of working

Precisely because these new technologies also require completely new ways of working, universities of applied sciences are involving students actively in the developments. To name one example, the new Master’s programme in Applied Quantum Technology, a partnership between Fontys, Saxion, the AUAS and The Hague University of Applied Sciences, will start next year.

Lecturer and researcher Tjeerd Bollmann is involving students in research on quantum particles in diamonds that are formed by an NV centre: a combination of a nitrogen atom with a hole, which allows extremely weak magnetic fields to be measured. In a simple setup, students can use red fluorescence to determine the state of qubits (the tiny particles that a quantum computer works with).

New talent is desperately needed

Finally, key technologies are urgently needed because of the vast CO2 emissions worldwide. A new solution to make data centres considerably more energy-efficient is presented by integrated photonics: by transmitting information using light instead of electrons, chips can process data much more efficiently.

Again, it is not only about developing this technology, but also the whole chain around it: from testing, smart and good packaging to working in clean rooms.

Ultimately, that is why human capital is needed most of all, speaker Oded Raz(opens in new window) of PhotonDelta stressed during the symposium. Universities of applied sciences and applied research remain indispensable to close the talent gap in photonics, nanotechnology and quantum technology.

Image: Students also learn to work in specialised environments such as clean rooms (necessary for the precise fabrication of nanostructures) and dark rooms, essential for light-sensitive measurements as part of photonics and quantum technology.