(CDO.Trends) Singapore’s Quantum Engineering Programme (QEP) and Thales recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jumps tart a two-year partnership to develop and test quantum technologies for commercial applications jointly. QEP is an initiative by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and is hosted at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
The partnership aims to explore quantum technologies and prepare the industry for their adoption. Experts from both organizations will test and evaluate interdisciplinary quantum security technologies.
In addition, the organizations will also explore potential research collaboration opportunities in the fields of new materials and design for quantum sensing. They will share the outcomes in seminars and conference
“Singapore’s drive in quantum technologies is creating exciting opportunities for the nation’s digital economy. Building on this momentum, QEP’s partnership with Thales, a forerunner in the quantum revolution, will accelerate the innovation and development of quantum solutions that are commercially attractive locally and globally. The success of this collaboration will also bolster Singapore’s attractiveness as a testbed and springboard for deploying new quantum technologies,” said Professor Chen Tsuhan, NUS’ deputy president for research & technology.
Thales makes its SafeNet Luna Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) and high-speed network encryptors that support interfaces to quantum devices available for research use as part of the agreement. The algorithms and quantum random number generation technology will help develop quantum-safe crypto and combat the threats of quantum computing. This equipment would be deployed for proof-of-concept trials and testbeds in Singapore.
There is rising global interest in quantum technologies in Singapore and in France, where Thales is headquartered. In France, a Quantum Plan announced by French President Emmanuel Macron in January 2021 dedicated EUR1.8 billion towards developing quantum technologies. In Singapore, the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) at NUS has been building up a pool of quantum expertise since its establishment in 2007. QEP is investing SGD121.6 million to advance Singapore’s quantum ecosystem, supporting research that applies quantum technologies to solve user-defined problems and activities that engage the industry. Quantum communication and security, as well as quantum sensing, are two pillars of the program.
Singapore’s QEP and France’s Thales Announce Partnership to Jointly Develop & Test Quantum Technologies for Commercial Applications
