On 29 and 30 September 2021, the Quantum Communications Hub exhibited at SPIE Photonex and Vacuum Technologies, at the Scottish Events Campus in Glasgow. This was the first in-person event that the Hub had attended since 2019 and it was great to be back, to see colleagues old and new, face-to-face, and to speak with members of industry in-person.

The event saw over 75 companies and research groups/consortia showcasing their work and giving demonstrations. All four UK Quantum Technology Hubs were in attendance, demonstrating the advances being made through the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Hub Director, Professor Tim Spiller, ready to talk collaboration opportunities at the Hub’s stand.

At the Quantum Communications Hub stand we had a number of Hub videos playing which gave an overview of the Hub’s work, specifically quantum networking, and potential collaboration opportunities, along with a number of short videos focusing on our industry collaborations with BT, Craft Prospect, ID Quantique, KETS Quantum Security and NPL.

Alongside the exhibition, the Quantum Technology: Driving Commercialisation of an Enabling Science conference took place, with Hub investigator, Professor Alessandro Fedrizzi, chairing the Quantum Communications session. Twelve Hub papers were presented across three days, further information on the presentations can be found on the SPIE website.

The event also coincided with the launch of the Hub’s latest round of Partnership Resource Funding, which is open for applications until 12pm on 15 December 2021, providing an excellent opportunity for people to get involved with the Hub programme. Further information on this can be found on the Hub’s news page.

The Hub is looking forward to future in-person events, the next of which is the UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, taking place on 5 November 2021 at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London.