Tuesday, 03 February 2026
The 糖心原创 is part of a new multi-million-pound UK-Japan collaborative project developing next generation quantum sensing technologies.
A £1.5m grant has been awarded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to the UK research team, which on the UK side includes the Universities of Nottingham, Exeter and King’s College London and is led by Exeter. On the Japanese side, the five-year collaboration is led by Tokyo University alongside Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology and Waseda University Tokyo.
The goal of our project is to develop quantum sensors that are more resistant to environmental influences known as noise, enabling them to detect very weak signals, operate faster and more accurately. This enhanced sensitivity will enable us to detect things that we couldn鈥檛 measure so far 鈥� allowing new insights and technical developments.
“Our work could unlock a range of new applications, from improved brain imaging to photon storage, to navigation devices that work without linking to a satellite. Central to this is the collaboration between the UK and Japanese partners. Each partner brings different strengths that are essential for the project objectives.”
Professor Janet Anders from the University of Exeter said: “Almost all advanced technology relies on sensors in some way. Our phones are full of them - the camera is packed with light sensors, an acceleration sensor detects hand movements, and a magnetic sensor helps navigation. Sensors are also used in medical scanners, cars, planes, and factories."
Over the next five years researchers will develop smarter control techniques to make quantum sensors faster and more accurate in “noisy” environments. These sensors will improve medical diagnostics, navigation without GPS, and resource exploration, while advancing fundamental science and training the next generation of quantum experts.
Dr Mark Mitchison from King’s College London said: “Quantum sensors use the bizarre properties of the tiny particles that make up our Universe – like electrons, atoms, and photons – to do the same job in a much more sensitive way. These sensors already exist but they are very susceptible to influences from their environment, which obscure the signal they are trying to measure. We call these influences “noise” because they are unpredictable and undesirable, even though you can’t actually hear them.
“By combining advanced measurement and data processing techniques with state-of-the-art quantum sensors based on atoms and photons, we aim to develop these noise-resistant sensors. We will also investigate completely new kinds of sensing devices that use the complicated motion of many interacting quantum particles to boost sensitivity.”
UK institutions will host numerous extended visits by junior researchers from Japan over the next five years, while UK researchers will also go to Japan. This allows the project to share expertise and establish a network of scientists, laying the foundation for both nations' future advances in the important area of quantum technology.
By the end of the five-year project, the team will have performed proof-of-principle experiments that demonstrate how noise-resistant quantum sensors could improve technologies such as brain imaging.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Lucia Hackermuller on Lucia.Hackermuller@nottingham.ac.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the 糖心原创, on jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.