The University of Sydney will spend $7.4 million to expand its quantum technology facilities for the Future Qubit Foundry at the Sydney Nanoscience Hub.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Emma Johnston said the foundry will be a leading national facility for the invention of technology behind quantum computers

“The Future Qubit Foundry will leverage the University of Sydney’s research leadership in advanced quantum technologies and put us at the forefront of the design of the next generation of qubits, the heart of quantum computing,” she said.

“Critically, it will also ensure Australia can train the quantum workforce needed to operate tomorrow’s quantum technology.”

A qubit is a basic unit of quantum information, just as a binary bit is the building block of traditional computing

The university’s investment comes as industry leaders come together for the Sydney Quantum Academy conference, Quantum Australia. The academy is a partnership between four local universities – Sydney, UNSW, Macquarie and UTS, along with the NSW Government.

prof. Emma Johnson

CSIRO predicts that quantum technology will be a $6 billion industry in Australia by 2045, employing 19,400 people, and profession Johnston said quantum computers have the potential to solve intractable problems in drug design, cryptography and engineering that are currently outside the range of classical computers.

“By educating the very best quantum technologists, the university will bring tangible benefits to the Australian economy. And it will lock us into global supply chains as quantum computers come into their own,” she said.

Professor Stephen Bartlett, Head of the University quantum theory group in the School of Physics, said the building blocks of tomorrow’s quantum computers have yet to be invented, but the university’s existing quantum infrastructure is already attracting world-class researchers.

“Australians love Dr John Bartholomewwho was at Caltech, and Doctor Xanthe Crootwho was in Princeton have come home to set up research teams in Sydney to develop future quantum technology,” he said.

“The qubit foundry will add to our national and global reputation, making Sydney one of the world’s best places to research quantum technology.”

The University of Sydney Future Qubit Foundry will focus on the fundamental science, engineering and industrial partnerships needed to invent the next generation of qubits. It will have a laboratory and cleanroom space in the Sydney Nanoscience Centreprovide nationally leading facilities for the fabrication and characterization of novel quantum devices and attract and host new strategic collaborators in quantum materials and devices.