Partnerships

ICFO is part of the EU Quantum Flagship, a 1b€ and 10 years long large-scale and long-term research and innovation initiative funded by the European Commission, with the main goal of transferring quantum physics research from the lab to the market by means of commercial applications.

ICFO coordinated projects:

CiViQ (Continuous Variable Quantum Communications) coordinated by ICFO, the project aims to develop low cost, flexible, adaptable secure devices, services and protocols that can be easily integrated into existing telecommunication networks

2D-SIPC (Two-dimensional quantum materials and devices for scalable integrated photonic circuits) coordinated by ICFO, the project aims to develop and demonstrate the first all optical on-chip quantum components based on 2-D materials for their future integration into quantum networks.

Projects with ICFO Partnerships:

QFLAG (Quantum Technology Flagship Coordination and Support Action) Project Coordinator: VDI Technologiezentrum, with the participation of ICFO, Qflag provides the key support towards objectives and the governance structure of the EU FET Flagship on Quantum Technologies.

QRANGE (Quantum Random Number Generators: cheaper, faster and more secure), coordinated by Université de Genève and with the participation of ICFO, aims to push the QRNG technology further, allowing for a wide range of commercial applications of QRNG.

QIA (Quantum Internet Allliace), coordinated by Technische Universiteit Delft and with the participation of ICFO, the project aims at developing a Blueprint for a pan-European entanglement-based Quantum Internet, by developing, integrating and demonstrating all the functional hardware and software subsystems.

MACQSIMAL (Miniature Atomic vapor-Cells Quantum devices for SensIng and Metrology AppLications) ICFO is a partner in this project that is coordinated by CSEM, Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA – Recherche et Developpement. MACQSIMAL main goal is to design, develop, miniaturise and integrate advanced quantum- enabled sensors with outstanding sensitivity, to measure physical observables in five key areas: magnetic fields, time, rotation, electro-magnetic radiation and gas concentration.

SQUARE (Scalable Rare Earth Ion Quantum Computing Nodes) aims at establishing individually addressable rare earth ions as a fundamental building block of a quantum processor node, where multiple qubits can be used for quantum storage, quantum gates, and optical interfacing. ICFO is a partner in this project coordinated by Karlsruher Institut fuer Technologie.

QuantumCat is a consortium coordinated by ICFO of leading research institutes and industrial actors in Catalonia that team up to create a Quantum Technologies Hub in the region. Within the Research and Innovation Strategy for the Smart Specialisation of Catalonia (RIS3CAT), QuantumCAT’s objective is to promote tech transfer projects and innovation with a short-term or mid-term industrial and social impact by driving discoveries from the research lab to the market through industrially viable implementations and applications. This activity is co-funded by the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) allocated to the Programa operatiu FEDER de Catalunya 2014-2020, with the support of the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca of the Departament d’Empresa i Coneixement of the Generalitat de Catalunya for emerging technology clusters devoted to the valorization and transfer of research results.

In 2015, the AXA Research Fund awarded ICFO a Chair, which is both permanent and pioneering on a global scale, for a quantum information technology project that will focus on risks associated with data privacy.

Through this Chair, ICFO conducts research focused on developing and implementing encryption systems based on quantum devices, with the aim of 100% secure data communications.
The AXA Research Fund was created in 2007 to boost scientific progress and discoveries that contribute to understanding and better preparing for environmental, life and socio-economic risks. With a commitment of EUR 200 million until 2018, the Fund supports 449 projects led by researchers of 50 nationalities, working in 230 universities in 32 countries.

ICFO has created a Virtual Tour of quantum physics and technologies with the support of this Fund through which it will bring the world of Quantum Physics closer to society, especially to non-academic audiences, bringing visibility to Quantum Physics and the transformative advances to science, industry and society underlined by this area.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation fosters path- breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and preservation of the special character of the Bay Area. The Foundation awarded ICFO a grant enabling ambitious research towards linking nodes for the quantum internet.

ICFO has a strategic collaboration with the GSMA in order to support the research into graphene and quantum technologies and the promotion of their commercial applications. In this context, ICFO co-organises the industrial exhibits called Graphene Pavilion and Quantum Flagship booth in Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Fundació Catalunya – La Pedrera · Ignacio Cirac Program Chair at ICFO aims to promote world-class research, outreach and dissemination in the targeted area of quantum information science and technology, as well as to promote frontier research at large. The Ignacio Cirac Program Chair is implemented in collaboration with several ICFO groups. The program chair is funded by an endowment from Fundació Catalunya – La Pedrera and was established under the auspices of the Department of Economy and Finance, Regional Government of Catalonia.

The excellent research carried out by the Group Leaders involved in Quantum Technologies program at ICFO has been widely recognised by the European Research Council (ERC).

The ICFO Launchpad gives innovative ideas a space to develop into new technology spin-offs. As an example, QuSide Technologies SL spun out of ICFO in September 2017 to develop quantum technologies for the cyber-security and super-computation worlds.

Since 2015, ICFO has received the support of the Barcelona City Council to develop innovative projects, which can be applied to the local business network. The aim is to make the city one of the world leaders in the field of research and the commercial exploitation of high tech products based on photonics.

In 2016, the City Hall of Castelldefels and ICFO officially signed the agreement for the creation of an incubator to foster photonic based companies in the area.