The article presents an in-depth analysis of the topics covered by this second Vasco Ronchi Colloquium (VRC), held on March 27th 2024 at the Arcetri headquarters of the National Institute of Optics of CNR, entitled “(QU)BITS OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER” and focusing on quantum technologies for sensing and security. The VR Colloquia are a format of brief targeted meetings, designed specifically by CNR-INO for boosting the interaction between researchers from the institute and businesses with an effective approach which could trigger the start of a collaboration aimed at the technology transfer of the research results. The two VRCs experienced at CNR-INO have proven effective in capturing corporate interest and initiating collaborations for the transfer of technologies to the market, both with lower and higher TRLs. The fields of application of quantum technologies developed at CNR-INO and presented here range from biomedical imaging to next-generation sensors, to new data encoding methods for secure applications and transmissions. The experience of a spin-off in the reference sector that participates in the VRC serves as an important example of successful technology transfer in this specific market. At the same time, the VRC provides a valuable opportunity for spin-offs, offering a boost for potential new trade connections and opportunities for collaboration with entrepreneurs.
The article presents an in-depth analysis of the topics covered by this second Vasco Ronchi Colloquium (VRC), held on March 27th 2024 at the Arcetri headquarters of the National Institute of Optics of CNR, entitled “(QU)BITS OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER” and focusing on quantum technologies for sensing and security. The VR Colloquia are a format of brief targeted meetings, designed specifically by CNR-INO for boosting the interaction between researchers from the institute and businesses with an effective approach which could trigger the start of a collaboration aimed at the technology transfer of the research results. The two VRCs experienced at CNR-INO have proven effective in capturing corporate interest and initiating collaborations for the transfer of technologies to the market, both with lower and higher TRLs. The fields of application of quantum technologies developed at CNR-INO and presented here range from biomedical imaging to next-generation sensors, to new data encoding methods for secure applications and transmissions. The experience of a spin-off in the reference sector that participates in the VRC serves as an important example of successful technology transfer in this specific market. At the same time, the VRC provides a valuable opportunity for spin-offs, offering a boost for potential new trade connections and opportunities for collaboration with entrepreneurs.
The second Quantum revolution is expected to influence society as a whole thanks to the groundbreaking technologies it introduces. As part of its effort in the dissemination of Quantum Physics and Quantum Technologies, in November 2023, the National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO) in Florence organised ”Dire l’indicibile: l’entanglement quantistico” an exhibition open to the general public with the aim of spreading knowledge of quantum Physics and quantum technologies. The goal of the exhibition was to boost awareness of these developing technologies in local communities, using interactive exhibits designed for the occasion, while also investigating the impact this event had on its visitors.
The next generation of quantum technologies holds immense potential for innovation in our economy, society as well as many industries and is highly important for Germany and Europe. Entirely new and unexplored solutions could unfold for improving efficiency, sustainability, security, telecommunication, computation and medicine, for example. Fraunhofer is an essential partner of the European industry and, at the same time, acts as an integrator and multiplier of disruptive technology leaps. As such, we are committed to the efficient and sustainable transfer of scientific knowledge into applications for the benefit of society - which is why new quantum technologies represent an important research field in our portfolio. In this book, Fraunhofer presents its knowledge and experience on quantum technology innovations in the areas of sensing, imaging, communication and computing, as well as their scientific foundations and applications.
Quantum technologies are increasingly recognized as a disruptive frontier that will shape the next generation of industrial strategies. Developments in quantum computing, communication, and sensing promise not only technical breakthroughs but also significant economic and geopolitical consequences. Quantum computing can accelerate drug discovery, materials research, and complex optimization, while quantum communication opens new possibilities for secure data transfer beyond the reach of classical encryption. According to European Commission Reports and National Quantum Initiative Act, leading economies are already investing heavily: the European Union has committed over €1 billion to its Quantum Flagship program, while the United States launched the National Quantum Initiative Act in 2018 to coordinate research and industrial applications. These initiatives underscore the strategic nature of the field. For industrial policy, they also raise important questions: How should governments design roadmaps that foster public–private collaboration? What forms of regulation or incentives are needed to align innovation with competitiveness and security? At the same time, quantum technologies could support sustainability goals, for example through energy-efficient algorithms and advanced climate modeling. Positioning quantum technologies not only as an enabler but as a driver of future industrial policy is essential. Unlike incremental innovations, quantum breakthroughs will actively shape the direction of national strategies, global competitiveness, and sustainability agendas. Recognizing this driver role ensures that policymakers and industries move beyond adaptation, taking a proactive stance in designing resilient and forward-looking industrial ecosystems.
2019 promises to be a crucial year for the emerging field of quantum technologies. On the funding side, the Quantum Technologies Flagship of the European Union has kicked off with the first 20 projects,1 and the total funding is expected to reach €1bn over the coming decade.2 Other world regions are not being left behind: In the US, Congress has recently passed the National Quantum Initiative Act, likewise a 10-year program with a budget of $1.3bn. This bold concept is accompanied by further support from government agencies such as the DOE and NSF. Research activities are being intensified not only in academia and research laboratories but also in the R&D centers of giant corporations such as Google, IBM, Microsoft and in many other companies. A key goal is to couple ever more qubits and to demonstrate a working quantum computer that will be able to achieve the ‘holy grail’ of quantum supremacy in computational power – if not yet today or tomorrow, then certainly in the years to come. Last but not least, the Chinese government has announced the provision of no less than $10bn to create a National Laboratory for Quantum Information Sciences. China has already taken crucial steps in creating a quantum network, including satellite-based communication. So, clearly the world is not short of opportunities in pursuing new and exciting quantum science, as well as its applications. On the other hand, it is more than obvious that there are still many fundamental scientific questions to be solved, not to speak of the development of real technologies that are still in their infancy to be implemented on a broader scale. Our journal Advanced Quantum Technologies (QUTE) (www.advquantumtech.com), a young member of the renowned Advanced journal family published by Wiley-VCH, aims to provide a peer-reviewed high quality forum for these topics, ranging from the theoretical basics to future device applications. Key areas include quantum-based communication, computation, control, engineering, information, metrology, optics, sensing and simulation, as well as adjacent areas such as nanophotonics, quasiparticle excitations, topological materials, superconductors, micro- and nano-electromechanical systems, ultracold atoms and others. The first three issues published in 2018 already provided a glimpse of our intended broad topical spectrum, with Reviews on continuous-variable quantum key distribution,3 non-equilibrium Bose–Einstein-like condensation4 and integrated quantum photonics based on diamond,5 accompanied by original research contributions as Communications or Full Papers. Now, what do we have in store for the New Year: The present issue features, for example, a Review on topological insulators and semimetals for magnetoresistive sensors6 and a Progress Report on the Dicke model being relevant for quantum optics.7 Later during 2019, we also plan to present two special issues on the topics of Quantum Machine Learning and Photonic Quantum Technologies that will aim to provide a snapshot of the state-of-the-art in these respective fields. Most importantly, please be reminded that the journal is open for original research submissions at www.editorialmanager.com/advquantumtech as well as your proposals for review-type contributions that you may send to advquantumtech@wiley.com at any time. We will also use forthcoming conference opportunities such as the APS March Meeting in Boston, several DPG (German Physical Society) meetings as well as various events in Asia to meet with you personally to get to know your research, to invite you to submit as well to learn more about the publication needs of the quantum community. Feel free to get in touch with us through any physical or virtual channel! For those of you who might be new to our journals: Online submission and online publication (no print) in QUTE are completely cost-free, and the journal is also free-to-read for anybody during the whole year. If you would like to make use of open-access options, Wiley OnlineOpen with various open access licenses is available through an increasing number of national, consortial or funder agreements (such as the ‘DEAL’ soon to be implemented in Germany8) or via payment of the respective article publication charge by your institution or funder. Details are provided in the ‘Contribute’ section of our homepage. You may also post a preprint of your manuscript to arXiv.org or similar servers, or to a scientific collaboration network that is compliant with the STM sharing principles.9 When doing so, please make sure that the journal reference is always up to date, including the DOI and/or URL of your journal-published article. More information on general article sharing principles is available on howcanishareit.com. These should help you to achieve maximum visibility both of your newest publication and of our young journal, as will news stories on selected top content on our news portal advancedsciencenews.com. We look forward to exciting quantum times and to reading (or hearing) from you! The Editorial Team of Advanced Quantum Technologies
This article is part of a series exploring the unique characteristics and challenges of managing technology teams in emerging fields, with a particular focus on quantum computing [1-5]. The series delves into the experiences of entrepreneurs, researchers, and organizations at the forefront of the quantum revolution, offering insights into team management, innovation, and ecosystem development. Canada's vibrant quantum computing ecosystem is undergoing rapid expansion driven by a combination of government support, world-class academic institutions, and a thriving entrepreneurial community. The 5th Workshop on Quantum Computing Entrepreneurship, held during IEEE Quantum Week 2024, was organized by volunteers from the IEEE Technology & Engineering Management Society (TEMS), IEEE Entrepreneurship, and the Institut quantique. This workshop explored the key pillars of Canada's quantum ecosystem, showcasing the experiences of those driving the quantum revolution. These pillars encompass national and regional organizations that foster ecosystem growth, quantum accelerators that facilitate technology transfer from academia to industry, and the startups driving commercialization. Beyond offering valuable insights into the Canadian quantum ecosystem, this article also highlights fundamental components essential to any quantum ecosystem, given the current maturity of the technology. Readers involved in policy, entrepreneurship, or technology management can apply these lessons to foster quantum ecosystems in their own regions or organizations.
The International Conference on Quantum AI and Deep-Tech Innovations for Next-Gen Intelligence (QUADNEXT-2026), held on 06–07 February 2026 in Vijayawada, India, represents a significant step toward advancing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and emerging deep technologies. This conference was organized with the objective of bringing together academicians, researchers, industry experts, and students to explore innovative ideas and recent advancements shaping the future of intelligent systems. The rapid evolution of Quantum AI and deep-tech domains has opened new frontiers in solving complex real-world problems across healthcare, cybersecurity, agriculture, climate science, and smart systems. The proceedings of QUADNEXT-2026 compile a diverse collection of peer-reviewed research papers, keynote insights, and scholarly contributions that reflect the current trends, challenges, and future directions in next-generation technologies. The selected papers demonstrate cutting-edge research in areas such as machine learning, blockchain integration, quantum-enhanced systems, intelligent prediction models, and secure digital infrastructures. This conference was made possible with the support of AICTE under the VAANI scheme, encouraging knowledge dissemination in regional and global contexts. The collaborative efforts of organizing institutions, reviewers, authors, and participants have contributed to the success of this event. We sincerely hope that these proceedings will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students, fostering innovation and inspiring further exploration in the domain of Quantum AI and deep technologies.