Universal Quantum will establish its first dedicated research and development centre outside Europe in Singapore, an expansion that also creates the UK quantum computing company’s Asia-Pacific hub. Operating under the name of the R&D Competency Centre, the facility will concentrate on the technologies needed to develop larger trapped-ion quantum computers. Its core programme will encompass ion trap chip development and integration, whilst drawing on Singapore’s semiconductor manufacturing and research capabilities to advance packaging techniques.
The centre will begin with a team of 25, with plans to expand as its work in Singapore grows. Backing the initiative, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is supporting the expansion, while EDBI has been announced as a strategic investor operating under SG Growth Capital, the investment platform of EDB and Enterprise Singapore.
Singapore centre will focus on quantum chip development
Universal Quantum plans to combine its chip design expertise with fabrication and packaging capabilities in Singapore to develop and integrate ion trap chips. In parallel, the company will work with local research institutes on advanced packaging designs and chip architectures intended to support larger quantum computing systems. Looking further ahead, its longer-term plans include developing an integrated quantum processing unit containing as many as one million qubits.
Research in Singapore will also cover fault-tolerant quantum computing, including advanced quantum chip development and algorithms for industries in the country. Universal Quantum describes stable qubits at larger scales as an important part of developing reliable quantum computing systems.
Dr Sebastian Weidt, CEO and co-founder of Universal Quantum, linked the choice of Singapore to the combination of research and manufacturing capabilities available in the country. “Singapore brings together world-class research infrastructure, advanced manufacturing expertise and a highly collaborative Government,” said Weidt. “Combined with Universal Quantum’s chip design expertise, the partnership creates a unique and complementary mix of capabilities that will accelerate our journey towards building scalable, error-corrected quantum computing that can deliver real-world benefits in multiple sectors.” Supporting this broader operational vision, the company is also committing investment in people, facilities and services as it builds out the Singapore operation.
Singapore becomes Universal Quantum’s Asia-Pacific hub
By developing its Singapore office as its first Asia-Pacific hub, Universal Quantum secures a regional base for research, talent development and collaboration with industry and research organisations. From this location, the company plans to explore applications for its technology in sectors where Singapore has established industrial capabilities.
As the R&D programme develops, the company also intends to build partnerships with organisations involved in the country’s quantum ecosystem. This expansion builds on Universal Quantum’s existing partnership with the National Quantum Office (NQO), which is responsible for developing and implementing Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy. NQO is hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and funded by the National Research Foundation. Universal Quantum’s Singapore plans therefore combine chip development, quantum computing research and regional operations within the same base, with EDB supporting the expansion and EDBI participating as a strategic investor.
