The international archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences/International archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences
Abstract. Quantum sensing technologies provide future cities with unimaginable techniques for solving their complex problems. Quantum sensors, through the utilization of quantum effects such as superposition, entanglement, and tunneling, can provide an unmatched level of sensitivity, precision, and durability against traditional sensing technologies. This study explores the potential applications of quantum sensing in four critical urban infrastructure domains: water, energy, transport, and construction. Throughout this study, we determine the most promising quantum sensing technologies for each domain. Besides, we discuss the technical progress of these sensors and the advantages they have in comparison with classical devices, as well as the organizational issues cities can face when implementing these sensors. Our results indicate that quantum sensing will be a critical enabler of future smart cities, generating advanced monitoring, control, and decision-making capabilities across various sectors. Nevertheless, taking advantage of this potential will demand the close partnership of cities, industry, academia, and policymakers to guide the complicated adoption process.
Abstract. Quantum sensing technologies provide future cities with unimaginable techniques for solving their complex problems. Quantum sensors, through the utilization of quantum effects such as superposition, entanglement, and tunneling, can provide an unmatched level of sensitivity, precision, and durability against traditional sensing technologies. This study explores the potential applications of quantum sensing in four critical urban infrastructure domains: water, energy, transport, and construction. Throughout this study, we determine the most promising quantum sensing technologies for each domain. Besides, we discuss the technical progress of these sensors and the advantages they have in comparison with classical devices, as well as the organizational issues cities can face when implementing these sensors. Our results indicate that quantum sensing will be a critical enabler of future smart cities, generating advanced monitoring, control, and decision-making capabilities across various sectors. Nevertheless, taking advantage of this potential will demand the close partnership of cities, industry, academia, and policymakers to guide the complicated adoption process.
The vital role of civil engineering is to enable the development of modern cities and establish foundations for smart and sustainable urban environments of the future. Advanced sensing technologies are among the instrumental methods used to enhance the performance of civil engineering infrastructures and address the multifaceted challenges of future cities. Through this study, we discussed the shortcomings of traditional sensors in four primary civil engineering domains: construction, energy, water, and transportation. Then, we investigated and summarized the potential of quantum sensors to contribute to and revolutionize the management of civil engineering infrastructures. For the water sector, advancements are expected in monitoring water quality and pressure in water and sewage infrastructures. In the energy sector, quantum sensors may facilitate renewables integration and improve grid stability and buildings’ energy efficiency. The most promising progress in the construction field is the ability to identify subsurface density and underground structures. In transportation, these sensors create many fresh avenues for real-time traffic management and smart mobility solutions. As one of the first-in-the-field studies offering the adoption of quantum sensors across four primary domains of civil engineering, this research establishes the basis for the discourse about the scope and timeline for deploying quantum sensors to real-world applications towards the quantum transformation of civil engineering.
In the era of digital transformation quantum technologies represent a new challenge for the society, industries, governmental sector. The benefits and consequences of the adoption of quantum technologies have yet to be fully explored. In this context the role these technologies will play in urban context is essential to explore. The present study examines the European Union’s quantum initiatives and its vision of the possible applications of quantum solutions. This study applies these considerations to the European urban context and explores it through the prism of public values created by the smart cities and smart city dimensions. The findings of this research highlight the socio-technical implications and transformative potential of quantum technologies on European smart urban environments and offer strategic insights for urban planners, policymakers, and city managers to prepare for the opportunities presented by quantum technologies.
Background: High-precision sensing is vital for modern technology, yet conventional sensors are fundamentally constrained by classical noise limits. Quantum sensing leverages principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, to overcome these barriers, offering unprecedented sensitivity. This review comprehensively analyzes the current state of quantum sensor technology, focusing on its underlying physical principles, emerging applications, and the pathway toward industrial maturation.Methods: We synthesize findings from key research areas, detailing the foundational quantum systems like Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond and advanced optical techniques. The paper reviews the theoretical methods used to achieve sub-shot-noise performance and discusses the system-level engineering challenges necessary for practical deployment, particularly concerning microwave control and optical readout. We also assess the current landscape of standardization efforts for quantum technologies.Results: Significant breakthroughs are highlighted in both biomedical and environmental sensing. Applications range from tracking cellular redox-status using electron-paramagnetic resonance to ultra-sensitive salinity measurements. The analysis confirms that quantum sensing provides superior resolution compared to classical counterparts, unlocking new capabilities in in-vivo and real-time monitoring.Discussion: While offering transformative potential, widespread adoption faces hurdles, including the maintenance of quantum coherence in ambient environments and the high cost and complexity of current instrumentation. Future efforts must focus on miniaturization, integration with classical systems, and standardized fabrication protocols. Quantum sensing represents the next-generation technological paradigm for metrology.
Abstract On its revolutionary threshold, quantum sensing is creating potentially transformative opportunities to exploit intricate quantum mechanical phenomena in new ways to make ultrasensitive measurements of multiple parameters. Concurrently, growing interest in quantum sensing has created opportunities for its deployment to improve processes pertaining to energy production, distribution, and consumption. Safe and secure utilization of energy is dependent upon addressing challenges related to material stability and function, secure monitoring of infrastructure, and accuracy in detection and measurement. A summary of well‐established and emerging quantum sensing materials and techniques, as well as the corresponding sensing platforms that have been developed for their deployment is provided here. Specifically, the enhancement of existing advanced sensing technologies with quantum methods and materials is focused on, enabling the realization of an unprecedented level of sensitivity, placing an emphasis on relevance to the energy industry. The review concludes with a discussion on high‐value applications of quantum sensing to the energy sector, as well as remaining barriers to sensor deployment.
Quantum sensing (QS) exploits non-classical physical phenomena for advanced measurement, with growing relevance to infrastructure monitoring. Despite laboratory-level progress, real-world deployment remains uneven, shaped by integration complexity, digital connectivity, and technological maturity. This article presents a systematic review of QS technologies focused on deployability within infrastructure monitoring architectures. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, searches were conducted across six bibliographic databases, covering the 2017–2025 period. An initial dataset of 3,636 records was retrieved and reduced through a multi-stage screening pipeline which progressively narrowed the corpus to a final set of 80 peer-reviewed publications retained for detailed analysis. Studies were classified by QS modality, readout architecture, physical platform, and application domain encompassing geophysical and subsurface monitoring, civil and structural health monitoring, transport systems, and urban and environmental sensing. A cross-modality performance comparison was conducted using reported quantitative metrics including sensitivity, resolution, and bandwidth to benchmark quantum sensor technologies against classical sensing baselines, contextualizing their deployment feasibility. Readiness for real-world deployment was assessed using an adapted quantum technology readiness level framework, emphasizing system-level integration, operational sustainability, and compatibility with internet of things enabled and digitally connected monitoring infrastructures. Results reveal heterogeneous maturity trajectories across quantum sensor subtypes and highlight the critical roles of hybrid quantum–classical architectures, edge processing, and secure data integration for scalable deployment. This review positions QS as an enabling component within digitally integrated monitoring systems and provides a realistic perspective on the conditions under which quantum sensor technologies can contribute effectively to future infrastructure monitoring applications.
Quantum electronic sensing (QES), on the cusp of a revolution, is opening up new, possibly cutting-edge possibilities to take advantage of complex quantum mechanical variables to make incredibly sensitive assessments of an array of parameters. Concurrently, there are now prospects for quantum sensing to be used to enhance the processes involved in creating, distributing, and utilizing energy. To use the technology carefully and efficiently, it is necessary to handle issues with material stability and operation, reliable monitoring, and precision in sensing and assessment. Here is an overview of existing and new quantum sensing materials and methods, along with the related sensing frameworks that have been created to support their use. Regarding advanced sensing technologies specifically, the realization of a previously unheard-of degree of sensitivity is made possible using quantum methods and materials. The review's discussion of high-value implementations of quantum sensing in the bio-electronics industry and the still-existing impediments to sensor deployment wrap up the review. More specifically, we address how quantum sensing materials may lead to greater efficiency while highlighting established and developing quantum sensing methods, materials, and sensing platforms. The discussion of potential chances to implement quantum technologies follows a summary of the remaining obstacles and difficulties for quantum sensor deployment.