The UK government has launched an international partnership to accelerate the development of quantum technologies.
The NMI-Q agreement between G7 nations as well as Australia was launched on Monday at the National Physical Laboratory.
The partnership will see international metrology – the study of measurements – institutes jointly work to coordinate measurement practices and develop standards for quantum computers.
The first term of the NMI-Q agreement will be co-chaired by the UK and US.
The partnership was announced by Science Minister Lord Vallance, who also at the National Physical Laboratory opened a government-funded Reference Biofoundry facility for researchers working on vaccines, gene therapies and other life sciences.
“The UK is setting the pace for the development of engineering biology and quantum technologies,” said Vallance.
“Our new, cutting-edge Reference Biofoundry and strong global partnerships will fast-track innovators’ ideas onto the market to boost our economy. It will bring in the private investment that their ideas will attract.
“We need initiatives like these to drive excellence and international standards that ensure technological progress continues, from quantum medical scanners for hospitals to engineering biology giving us new ways of recycling.
“By investing in this vital infrastructure, the UK will continue to lead in innovation that we all benefit from.”
